Coping with work during the pandemic

Nowadays traveling to sunny Spain or taking a trip to Paris seems like decades ago. The pandemic has paused our vacation plans, and now we are forced to watch the same old movie or staring into the wall. Since Wales is in lockdown, we can’t go retail shopping nor can we go out and meet our friends. That’s why we’ve come up with a list for things you can do to keep up the good spirit whilst in lockdown.

Working from home

Because of the pandemic, a lot of us are forced to study or work from home, and for some people, that can be difficult. Working during the pandemic can sometimes feel like going back to work after illness. Today the work life balance has become blurred, so how do we make working from home enjoyable? A good tip is to separate your workspace from your bed, sofa, or any “comfortable” corner. It can be tempting to crawl under the duvet and sit with your computer on your lap, but it is not a viable solution. You will end up having a hard time separating your work time from leisure time. Eventually, you will get less productive, because your brain cannot cope trying to balance the two things.

Instead, you can set up a nice office for yourself. Invest in a comfortable, ergonomic chair, so your back won’t hurt from sitting down for hours. Do invest in a height adjustable table, so you can work while standing, when you feel like it. But don’t forget to decorate your office, put up some nice pictures or some motivational quotes, so it will be easier for you to work.

Productivity

Now that you’ve invested in a nice office, how do you end up working productively? Surely, a nice chair and a nice desk will not do the work for you, but they can help set the framework for a productive day.

The first tip in working towards a good productive day is reviewing your tasks and the upcoming workday. What are your tasks? Make a to-do list with both easy and difficult tasks. The difficult tasks or the ones, you don’t want to do, should be on the top of the list. By beginning with the task, you want to do the least, you use the most energy on that task, since our energy is usually high in the beginning of our workday. You also get to cross that task off as one of the first things on your list. It can be difficult, but it is extremely satisfying, when you’re done.

Remember breaks

A good productive day consists of breaks. A lot of them. That can sound counterintuitive, but this is truly the way to work productively. Some people like working by the Pomodoro-method, where you do 20 minutes of work, take a 5-minute break, and then work for 20 minutes again. And if there are any tasks you really don’t want to do, start with just 5 minutes of doing it. You might want to stop doing it after 5 minutes, but most people just end up finishing the entire task, because they’ve already begun, and they might as well finish it.

Find enjoyment

When you have finished your tasks, be sure to have some time off. Turn off notifications on your phone. Maybe your leisure time is all about games. Have you tried playing casino before? It is an incredibly entertaining activity, and if you have a look at something like casinohawk’s guide to online casinos, you can have hours of fun.

You might find enjoyment in crafts. Now is the perfect time to do DIYs or even begin enjoyable hobbies like knitting or crocheting. Maybe you’ve always had a secret artist inside you? Whatever it is, now is the time to nurture that hobby.

Set realistic goals

Because we’re in a pandemic, everyone’s work life is highly affected by it. We might not be as productive as we are in an office, and that is okay. So, remember to prioritize your tasks. It is unrealistic to try and do everything on your to do-list every single day, so focus on your priorities. If you wish to work with your tasks during the afternoon instead of answering messages and questions from your co-workers, do remember to send them a message. Every morning you should set goals for the upcoming day. They don’t have to be big, but they are a way of keeping you motivated.

Please do visit the Government’s website for further information about the pandemic.