Thriving in the Telecommute

While telecommuting has great advantages, it also presents a new set of daily challenges. If you live independently, with a partner, or with roommates, you may be struggling to define your own space and time for work versus downtime. Keeping momentum in the day can be difficult, and you are probably on a search for fulfilling opportunities inside your house or apartment. Anybody else reorganize the pantry twice already??

If you have little ones as your office mates, then you are probably trying to grow an extra set of hands, or duplicate yourself entirely so you can serve your constituents as mayor, teacher, colleague, principal, disciplinarian, friend, classmate, chef, housekeeper, coach, and most importantly, PARENT. We agree – part of staying sane includes bonding together over the INSANITY, but we want to focus on more than just surviving.

How do we thrive in this environment? How do we re-establish a new normal, a semblance of routine and balance with such little structure from the outside world in place? More importantly, how do we take this unprecedented time and turn it into a unique opportunity to explore new interests, learn about ourselves, and strengthen ties with those closest to us? 

This LiveWell Jefferson Blog Series is dedicated to one theme: Thriving in the Telecommute. We took a deep dive into researching practices that can make a difference, and we’ve included a few below. Over the next few days, we will be posting content to expand on each of these practices, and we’ll provide resources to give you a head start. The goal isn’t to do all of these – pick one or two that are easiest for you and make a habit out of them. Remember, it’s just practice – we aren’t training for the Olympics of working from home – we are already there!

Practices to Help You Thrive in the Telecommute:

1. 1. Explore | See the full blog post on Friday, April 3, 2020  
      1. Read or listen to audio books daily, invest in a new hobby, and take advantage of this time with activities you wouldn’t normally do.
   2. Establish a Routine | See the full blog post on Sunday, April 5, 2020 
      1. Keeping structure in your day will help you set expectations for yourself, your family, and even your pets. Schedules create a stable foundation for everyone.
   3. Prioritize Mental Health | See the full blog post on Wednesday, April 8, 2020
      1. Discuss current events openly and schedule virtual gatherings with friends and family. We all crave connection and interaction – don’t stop socializing even when you are practicing social distancing. Click Here to view behavioral health services that are available 24/7 in the Greater New Orleans Region.
   4. Kickstart a Wellness Journey | See the full blog post on Monday, April 13, 2020
      1. Boost your immune system, lower anxiety, and stay healthy with simple exercises and nutritious meals.