From the HR: protecting our mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic
By Cristina Estacio-Reclamado
Creator & Administrator, HR Shouts and Whispers FB page
Restlessness and anxiety continue to build up in everyone's systems as we still face uncertainties. The bad news is everywhere. More than several weeks into quarantine and people are all “trying to keep their sanity.”
HR SHOUTS AND WHISPERS’ Admins Ken-Ken Somera and Luigi Maniego have been producing podcasts and sharing NLP techniques on how to manage stress and anxiety. You can scroll our page and watch last Sunday’s “NLP Therapy for Anxiety, Depression, and Stress Related to Covid with John Boja”.
I believe that worrying too much has a significant effect on our immune systems. We need to have a stable disposition as a barrier from COVID-19 so let’s endeavor to protect our mental health. Here are some recommended tips:
Keep a routine – Routines have a calming effect. Prepare for your workday and maintain professionalism when doing video meetings. Meet your deadlines.
Do something fun – Ease the pressure by doing something fun during your work breaks. Since I am an avid pen collector, I doodle or do a quick sketch with my favorite ones. You can also try to learn a new dance move, play with Lego or puzzles, or cook using available ingredients in your pantry.
Keep in touch with family, friends, and professional colleagues – Use Zoom, Viber, or other apps to interact with close families and friends. You can seek advice for what worries you, unload your problems, have virtual birthday parties or reunions. I feel enriched through our page, where we can interact with a lot of HR professionals who share their thoughts, apprehensions, and even their simple victories at their workspaces.
Exercise and Meditate – The key to being healthy is maintaining a healthy weight. If this stresses you, then try to walk around your house or learn a dance set to expend extra calories you’ve eaten. Exercise is known to release feel-good chemicals. You can also exercise your mind by meditating. Sit in a quiet corner in your home and fill your head with beautiful thoughts: sceneries, a beautiful song, or enjoyable memories. You can up the notch on that by writing a journal.
Limit your news intake – With social media, news travels faster, especially bad news. Refrain from reading truly upsetting news and choose those from reputable sources. Also, verify facts before reacting to posts. Fake news is rampant, be selective and prudent.
What about you, do you have unique or helpful tips in dealing with restlessness or anxiety while on quarantine? We’d like to hear those in the ‘comments’ section.
This article is created in partnership with HR Shouts and Whispers. HR Shouts and Whispers is a Facebook Community set up in 2018 for both HR and non-HR professionals to appreciate and understand people management concepts. The group produces content and is a medium that encourages discussion of pressing HR issues, mental health concerns, and other phenomena that impact the lifestyles of professionals.