Creativity. According to a coworker, working from home is extremely distracting because of all the duties she is reminded of. Her technique is to complete microtasks during meeting breaks. For example, she’ll spray cleaner in the tub while grabbing another cup of coffee, or she’ll fold a load of laundry during her lunch break. Your hacks may be more sophisticated—perhaps you’re coming up with new methods to entertain the kids with creative activities, or you’ve discovered a game-changing new solution to an issue at work. Whether it’s a minor hack or a huge breakthrough, difficult times that drive you out of your habits can be a blessing for creativity. In the coming days, embrace your new thoughts and make the most of your wider insights.
Lessons in Community
Connections. Nothing is automatic anymore, and you can’t casually run into someone on your way to work or at the company café over lunch. On the other side, you’re seeing the value of friends and coworkers. According to Susan Pinker in The Village Effect, we are wired for human interaction. When we have to put forth more effort to maintain relationships, we realize how valuable they are. As you respect physical distances, you may have the opportunity to develop new ways to stay in touch, whether through video conference, text chains, or even shouting across the street to neighbors. According to new research published in the Journal of Consumer Psychology, staying connected via social networks or microblogging can also be beneficial to your mental and emotional health. Of course, it is entirely up to you how you choose to connect with others. The lesson here is the value of solid relationships.
Gratitude. Gratitude for ordinary objects and people is essential for happiness. This is a time when you can multiply your thanks many times over. There are many reasons to be thankful, whether it’s for the companionship of a pet, extended time with family, or the closeness you’re forming with coworkers through shared hardship. You can also be thankful for healthcare and other vital professionals, not to mention the people whose jobs you are attempting to imitate, such as teachers, childcare providers, and restaurant staff. When you have to do more for yourself, you realize how much you rely on others—and how valuable their specific skills and contributions are.
Self-Management Lessons
Self-Discipline. Let’s face it: having access to the pantry 24 hours a day, seven days a week is difficult. The temptation to binge-watch your favorite TV rather than exercise is also strong. This is a perfect moment to learn new behavior management techniques and form new habits. If the average new habit takes 21 days to form, you’ll have plenty of time for self-improvement. One suggestion comes from James Clear’s Atomic Habits. Associate your new habit with your identity, such as “I am not someone who raids the pantry all day,” or “I am someone who consumes healthy food.” You can also build a new habit by tying it to an old one. For example, if you want to do more deep breathing, remember to do it while doing dishes or watering plants, which you already do daily.
Self-Care. In the most basic sense, self-care is more crucial than ever. You may improve your well-being by eating right, exercising, and getting enough sleep. Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker is an excellent book about the importance of sleep in all aspects of our physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Among the most significant strategies to improve your sleep is going to bed and waking up at around the same time every day, on weekends and weekdays.
