How to Manage Stress and Be More Productive During COVID-19 Isolation

We’re only 4 months into 2020 and I am certainly starting to feel the stress of the year already. It’s a difficult time for many people all around the world. First the bushfires in Australia, an earthquake in Zagreb and now a world-wide pandemic. It’s only natural to be feeling overwhelmed and panicked. However over the last couple weeks I have felt my anxieties ease more and more each day thanks to some of the keys things I do each day to manage my stress and be more productive. Listed below I have compiled a list of my tips on how to manage stress and be more productive during COVID-19 isolation.

Turn off the News

I think this needs to come in at the top of my list on how to manage stress during COVID-19 isolation. I remember when the outbreak started in Australia and I was scrolling anxiously through the news almost every hour. This did not help my stress levels at all. If you are also victim to this habit, stop now! Try and limit the amount of time you spend watching the news, even if it’s just for 1 hour a day to catch up on what’s happening. There is better ways to spend your time and constantly worrying about the outcome won’t help. Maybe try reading some positive news to balance out the bad. The people at goodnewsnetwork.org only publish good news and positive stories which can help with getting your positive attitude back!

Self-Care

Self-care is super important and is one of the main keys to managing your stress during COVID-19 isolation. The few simple things listed below will also contribute to helping you feel more refreshed and energised and in turn more productive during COVID-19 isolation.

Sleep:

Make sure you are getting an adequate night’s sleep. Try going to bed at the same time each night and refrain from using electronics when trying to fall asleep. I use a relaxing Lavender Pillow Spray– its calming aroma helps promote a peaceful night’s rest.

Nourish Yourself:

It’s important especially during these times to stay healthy. Our bodies depend on water and keeping hydrated is crucial for our body to fight off infections and keep our organs working properly. Being well-hydrated also improves sleep quality, cognition, and mood. Although its easy to splurge on junk food during these times (we’re all guilty) it’s still important to balance our diet to help maintain our well-being and keep our immune systems strong.

Get your body moving:

I am definitely not a fitness guru however there are many ways to get some exercise while following social distancing guidelines. My favourite thing to do is to go out and explore on my bike. While I’m getting in some exercise, I’m also getting a nice dose of Vitamin D. Get out in nature, get some fresh air even if its in your backyard and you will soon start to feel less claustrophobic.

Establish a routine and stick to a schedule

Ok so we are all guilty of lounging in our pyjamas all day but it can start to get monotonous after a while. I suggest the following:

Set an alarm each morning

Time block

Take breaks

Establish a routine and get back on track with your productivity. Setting an alarm each morning can help you get back into a daily routine, as well as getting to bed at the same time each night. I always time block my tasks and have found this works well for me as it gives me a “deadline” on getting things done and keeps me from getting distracted by other things like Netflix. And there is nothing worse than a burnout from not taking a break. Taking breaks is essential to getting your mind refreshed and feeling re-energised to keep going. I like to get up and do stretches every 1-2 hours.

Clean & Reorganise

Cleaning is therapeutic! With all the extra time on hand, now is as good time as any to get your home cleaned up and reorganised! Throw away unused/unwanted items around the house and get into those home projects you’ve been putting off for a while. I highly recommend getting some ideas (and motivation) by watching“Tidying up with Marie Kondo” on Netflix. After I watched her show, inspiration hit and I did a massive overhaul of all my cupboards and wardrobe.

Why not take the opportunity to do a digital clean-out too? Tidy up the inbox, delete unwanted photos/videos that are taking up space and unsubscribe from all those pesky email subscriptions you never open! (Except mine of course!)

Plan Ahead & Make Goals

Its definitely hard to keep motivated when you’re unsure what you’re even doing anymore. A great way to manage productivity during COVID-19 isolation is to plan for the future and start setting some goals. Set aside some time and write down your daily, weekly and monthly goals. This creates motivation and in a way a distraction of something to look forward to and ‘tick off’ the list each day.

Plan for the future now. Start researching that domestic holiday you have been wanting to take for a while. Some ideas might be planning a road trip to see the 12 Apostles. Or maybe you want to stay in a luxurious Zoofari Lodge in Dubbo? Having something to look forward to boosts endorphins!

Remember- It’s OK to take a Day

Not every day is going to go to plan. Managing your stress during COVID-19 isolation is especially important so remember to give yourself a break every now and then and just relax. Read a book or take a relaxing bubble bath!