Re-Boot and Re-Enter the Workplace. Safety tips to start now!

The COVID-19 Pandemic has created a disruption in our daily lives. The shelter-at-home requirements have been frustrating and stressful. Californians have flattened the curve by adhering to the stay home orders, but it has not been easy.

Although the unknowns and uncertainties of the future add to the stressful nature of the Pandemic, we can remain hopeful and begin preparing for our re-entry to our places of work.

When our computers are not working right, we often reboot to correct changes or solutions. Let’s think of our pre-COVID-19 lives as needing a re-boot. Maybe we were running on fumes. Extra hours at work. Multiple after work activities. Our kids also stretched thin with too many athletic or after school activities. Too tired at the end of the day to even have a dinner meal together. Grabbing fast food to just stop the stomach from growling. And then collapsing in front of the television.

How has your life changed over the past few months? Why not notice what improvements there have been in your lifestyle. Here are a few recommendations to consider as you begin preparing for Re-Entry to your pre-COVID-19 life.

Emotional and Psychological Effects

Take time to notice what you observe about yourself. What have you liked about this quiet time? What have you not liked? Discuss your thoughts and feelings with your family and friends. Sharing your observations lets others know they are not alone in their thoughts.

Brain studies have shown that we may be hardwired to focus on problems. We can obsess about the negative possibilities of the situation and we have trouble remembering any good things. It even has a name – the Velcro/ Teflon theory of the mind. The human brain sticks to fear and problems like Velcro and the positive thoughts slide away like a hot egg on Teflon. 

How can you stay mentally and emotionally positive? There are many online sources for re-wiring your brain. Rick Hanson, a neuroscientist, has a free newsletter that has simple practices to strengthen your neural pathways of happiness, love and wisdom. You church or other organizations may have recommendations and alternatives, including prayer, meditation and yoga.

Nutrition and Exercise

Are you noticing that you talk more about what you will be eating? There is time to plan and try new recipes. Take on this opportunity of meal preparation as a family. Help your kids search for whole and unprocessed foods. Watch your favorite food network program and then actually plan and prepare a meal together.

Sit down together as a family and share food and stories about how you are feeling about being stuck at home. Set the table. There are plenty of YouTube videos of how to set a proper table. You never know when you might be invited to Downton Abbey… as a guest or a servant- and you will be prepared! 

A recent scientific study concluded that moderate exercise reduces the risk of “opportunistic infections” due to antigen-specific immune responses. So, you could be boosting your immune system to keep you healthy during the Covid-19 exposure just by exercising.

If you are returning to a physical demanding job, staying conditioned is important to return safely to work.  Core strength and flexibility are necessary for physical or sedentary jobs.

Take a brisk walk. Work in your yard. Plant a garden. Just keep moving. Set a time to exercise each day. Then schedule it with you family and you can each hold the other accountable to Just Do It!

Set a goal to not turn on the TV until after dinner. Or limit your or your kids screen time each day. Plan the day for movement and activities. Let the evenings be the time to sit down and rest. Read a book. While the public libraries are closed, they have many electronic books you can order. Or get out your actual old board games for a family competition -Monopoly, Risk, Scrabble- Remember those?

Sleep

Has this stay-at-home time been a chance to catch up on sleep? Establish a routine now that you can continue, to help you get a good night’s sleep. Stop eating 2 hours before bedtime. Turn off the TV or computer 1 hour before bed. Take a warm bath. Read a good book. Practice a calming yoga sequence. Try a foot massage. Or, better yet, give a foot massage to your partner, spouse, or children.

You create a bed-time ritual for your young kids, why not for yourself, too?

Getting up at your regular go-to-work time will help you prepare for returning to the actual daily routine. Reestablish the disciplines that you previously adhered to.

Re-entering the workplace

The world’s hope is that we will return to normal soon. But what is “normal?” How can you re-enter the workplace as a rested and revitalized worker? How will you discuss with your superiors possible changes to your work patterns that make you more productive and a greater contributor to your employer than you were before.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a disruption in our daily lives, but perhaps a Re-Boot is just what we needed to correct our unconscious behaviors and improve the way we work and live.