5 Tips To Change Up Your WFH Routine Amid NCR+ ECQ Extension

It has been a year since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Its fluidity, the exponential rise in cases, and the numerous community quarantine lockdown measures have left most of the working world boxed in. In the Philippines, the daily count of those who tested positive rose to an alarming 10,000 in March alone. Such results have forced certain areas in the country, including the National Capital Region, to have an Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) extension.

Citizens can only leave their homes for essential purposes. This includes grocery runs, trips to the pharmacy, or being called for physical duty at the office. Food and beverage restaurants only allow takeaway and deliveries, plus the imposition of a curfew to limit movements.

These, along with the influx of information from all kinds of platforms, can be nerve-wracking. Not to mention, it may up the paranoia to a certain degree. These circumstances may be out of our control. But the best thing to do is to refresh our routine, keep calm, and carry on. Here are five tips to do so:

Prioritize wellness in the morning

For most of us, the usual morning routine goes like this: we wake up, get our phone, and start checking social media or our work emails. While it is always good to keep abreast of whatever is going on in the world or in our workplace, the need to accomplish or stomach the information can weigh heavily on us so early in the day.

Wake up on the right side of the bed this time and incorporate wellness in your morning routine. You can allot one or two hours early to go for a jog, yoga, or meditation.

Take an exercise break -- or better yet, shake it up

NHS reports that integrating an exercise regimen into your routine can cut the risks of major illnesses like diabetes, heart attack, and cancer by 50%. Physical activity does wonders not just for your physical health. But it can also impact other aspects of your health -- emotional, mental, and even spiritual.

Thirty minutes of daily light to moderate exercise is enough to boost your overall mood and wellbeing. If you are already exercising, it is best to vary the kind of activity you are doing.

Rearrange your work space

The thing about routines is they can get old pretty fast. Heading to the office or working from your favorite cafe is not possible right now. Instead, spruce up your work desk or work area with some essentials you have been meaning to get.

It could be getting a new wireless keyboard, adding fresh flowers, or introducing vibrant pops of color to your space.

Stay updated, but with caution

It is good to stay updated with the events surrounding COVID-19. However hearing from different sources of information can be taxing for both necessary and unnecessary reasons. Make sure to get the news from verified sources like local publications and health professionals.

When getting your news from social media, it is best to fact check with trusted sources before sharing them on your profile page. Not only will you keep yourself level-headed, but it will also prevent causing gratuitous panic.

Pursue a new hobby

Ask yourself, "What is something I have always wanted to pursue but never had the time to?". While working from home blurs the lines between work and home, it has its perks, one of them being having the freedom to pursue something other than what you are paid to do.

Whether it be cooking, dancing, skipping rope, or getting a new pet, find solace in this break from the usual. Who knows - you could find an additional income stream from pursuing this.

If you feel like your mental health is compromising your work, it is best to sit down with your boss or HR to determine ways to improve that. Maybe you could learn more about their mental health programs or you could take a leave of absence when necessary.

And as always, take opportunities to check in with your officemates for reasons other than work. Amid these challenging times, connecting with our colleagues and looking out for each other is more vital than ever.

The current situation is not the best, but what we can do to mitigate the stress is to make the best of what we can. That, in itself, is a great power and choice.

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