The author of this article is MFAA Community Panel member, Doctor Paul Flanagan. Dr Flanagan has over 30 years’ experience as a clinical and organisational psychologist. He was the founder of Australia’s largest Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provider and now heads up the innovative Employee Assistance & Wellbeing firm, Life Street. Dr Flanagan was recently appointed to the board of the Australian Psychological Society. In this article he provides practical expert tips to manage the wellbeing of you and your teams during this difficult time.
Stay connected
We are social creatures, and there has never been a better time to take advantage of technological developments and stay connected with colleagues. Crank up the communication with your team. With video calls, group chats, and memes at your disposal, keep up the positive spirits. Try to build in check-ins with colleagues throughout the day. Don’t get trapped in the “social distancing” bubble – rather view this as “physical distancing” and maintain the chatter with others.
Set up your space and work priorities
Setting up an environment that is conducive to working from home will be helpful. A designated place to work that has everything you need will help you feel more in control. Make sure you plan your work and set up goals for the day as this will help you feel and be much more productive. Take the time to plan out your day, your week and even your next month – whilst there is a lot of uncertainty in the world at the moment, planning out what needs to get done in your world will help you feel more positive and focused on what you can control.
Maintain a routine
Where possible, maintaining a daily routine may be helpful in instilling some sense of normalcy. Get dressed in the morning, schedule exercise, keep to your usual mealtimes. Try to keep consistent, while at the same time setting boundaries on your work schedule.
Refrain from too much news and social media
While it’s great to be informed, there is often a lot of misinformation out there, and the constant stream of negativity can take a huge hit on our wellbeing. Try to limit your checks to only a couple of times a day, and only consult reputable sources such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and government websites (www.health.gov.au). Keep your perspective balanced too by tuning into some of the positive stories out there.
Keep up the self-care - physically and mentally
Your body needs all the care it can get during this time. Nourish your body and increase your immunity with as many nutritious meals as possible, ensure you have the medication you need, and do some home workouts to keep up the exercise and endorphins. Try to remain calm amidst the storm by using strategies such as breathing exercises, yoga and 30 minutes before bed – blue light and constant news updates won’t be helpful for a good night’s sleep! Don’t forget to check in on your own mental health. Ask yourself: “How am I feeling?” “What do I need?” “What am I worried about?” “What usually helps me when I’m feeling worried?”. Be kind to yourself, validate your feelings and experiences, back your resilience, and talk it out with someone.
Get help if you need it
In times of stress and uncertainty, a certain amount of worry is normal and expected. Anxiety is an inevitable human experience, inbuilt to protect us from danger and help steer us to safety. If the anxiety elevates to a distressing amount, or if you have pre-existing mental health issues, make sure you get some help. Contact your Employee Assistance Program (EAP) if you have one, or use community resources such as Lifeline, Beyond Blue or Black Dog Institute.
