For many people, especially in the business sector, life has just been turned upside down. COVID-19 is affecting not only America but the entire world. So even a business that relies on international revenue, not American, hasn’t escaped the consequences of this global pandemic.
For a lot of people, this means that more proactive businesses, like Technalink, put the welfare of our employees above all else, and advise work from home measures when they are feasible. But while many imagine that working from home can be a nice change of pace, or even liberating, the truth does not always play out that way.
Balancing More Things In One Place
Many people imagine that working from home would reduce stress, but this isn’t always the case. In the current situation, working from home may also mean dealing with a partner who is also working from home and, additionally, children who are no longer going to school.
For some employees, this is just changing the hectic dynamics and delicate politics of the office for a new dynamic at home where it is the family, not coworkers, who become the new work relationships. Unfortunately, a spouse and children are not the same dynamics, and children, in particular, can’t always be counted on to respect professional boundaries when work commitments need to be met.
While under the right circumstances, working from home can be a change of scenery and even more relaxing than a traditional office, the current COVID-19 lockdown situation may not afford that for some people. It may merely be taking all the problems and stress of the workplace, and compounding them with family stressors that usually are discrete and separate.
Stress Management Works At Home Too
This is why, even for some people working at home, the mindfulness and spiritual entrepreneur practices used to stay centered in the office, may have just as much value at home. If you don’t have a home office, are sharing it with a partner, or need to stay committed to work and children over a typical day, remember to take some time off to practice meditation and relaxation methods.
As with a work situation, a few minutes at home during a lull or a quiet period may be all it takes to regain a sense of control and purpose. Don’t strive to create the perfect conditions, but instead take advantage of whatever favorable conditions and opportunities may appear.
Compassion Always Works
The same empathy and willingness to listen and negotiate that succeeds in the workplace can often be invaluable with a family situation too. Try to remember that everyone’s lives have been disrupted by COVID-19, and approach your interactions with children and partner in that spirit.
Different people will deal with the stress of these changes in different ways, and be mindful of the fact that your stress may sometimes get the better of you. It’s okay to make mistakes, especially if you learn from those mistakes and become stronger in the attempt to make amends. If you’re working from home in a complicated situation, you and those around you will be learning and making mistakes as you all live through this.
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