How to look after yourself if you’re working from home
Life feels very different at the moment and we know that there are lots of people out there who’re feeling anxious about the coronavirus outbreak.
Rightmove has teamed up with Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) to offer some advice on mental well-being during this period of uncertainty.
We don’t have all the answers but read on for some tips from them to help you structure your days…
Switch off
Don’t feel like you need to follow the news for 24 hours a day, because it might do more harm than good. Maybe check in with the news at the beginning and end of your ‘usual’ working day so that you’re up-to-date, but not obsessing over every breaking story. There is also a lot of misinformation on social media, so stick to the trusted news providers.
And if you do come across a positive story that makes you chuckle, share it with your friends and family. We’ve also got lots of quirky homes that you can explore…
Stay connected
As important as it is to not spend too much time scrolling through social media, you can stay connected with friends and family online. If you’re stuck indoors, you can still FaceTime your mum, play FIFA with your mates or give your nan a call.
There are also a number of video apps that you can download to host virtual social events with your pals, so that your weekly Friday night drink at the pub can live on in some capacity.
READ MORE: Hear from the people keeping the housing market open for business
Keep up your daily routine
Lots of us will find the change of routine a little tricky to adjust to, but it’s a great idea to create a new kind of routine so that your day still has a structure to it. Wake up at a similar time to your normal working day, but perhaps use the time that you’d usually be commuting to work to do a home workout or some yoga.
We’ve found it really helpful to make daily ‘to do’ lists so that we have mini targets to work towards throughout the day. Then, when you’ve accomplished a certain task, you can treat yourself to a tea break or catch-up on that documentary that’s been on your TV planner for months.
READ MORE: Property guru Kunle Barker shares coronavirus advice for renters
If you’re planning on selling your home later in the year, you could use some extra spare time to declutter your garden or tackle those DIY jobs that you’ve been meaning to do for a while!
Let out your feelings
It’s totally normal to feel a little overwhelmed or upset with what’s going on right now. But CALM suggest that getting these emotions out in the open is the best policy. Social distancing doesn’t mean emotional distancing, so pick up the phone and reach out to the people you love.
If you’re struggling, talk to CALM
This is a unique situation for all of us, but there are trained support workers you can talk to. Whether it be financial worries about your mortgage or rent, or anxiety about your health, call CALM on 0800 58 58 58 or make use of their webchat.
They’ll be available from 5pm to midnight every day to provide practical support and advice, whatever you’re going through.
It costs £8 to answer each one of the potentially lifesaving calls to CALM’s helpline. Last year they directly stopped 588 suicides. If you can, please donate today and help make sure they keep on delivering their service.
