Using Structure to Create Calm During Uncertain Times
Photography: Marco Mons
Written by Amy Piekkala-Fletcher
Turn on your television, unlock your phone, or talk to literally anyone right now and they will all be tuned to the same message.
Right now,we are moving through uncharted territory in our global history. COVID-19 is changing how we live and shaking things up on the daily.
Like many fortunate people, my workplace has asked me to work from home for the foreseeable future.
This is a radical change for me. As a construction project manager, my days are typically made up of moving between construction sites, talking to my contractors, managing works and being outside in the fresh air.
So, when the inevitable email direction to work from home came, I admit that I felt that familiar chill of anxiety down the back of my neck. My brain started to throw the usual chatter at me.
I live alone. Am I going to go for days without seeing anyone face to face?
I have chronic anxiety. Is this change going to result in panic attacks?
How am I going to cope?
I decided that it was important to put some ground rules in place for working from home. Having done that, I feel a little more in control during this rather out of control situation.
I have set myself a consistent wake up and bedtime. It is tempting to sleep in late, now that I don't have to be at site at 6.30am, but structure is important, and getting enough sleep is key to both physical and emotional wellbeing. So despite the temptation to have a sneaky sleep in, I'm sticking to a 7.00am wake up and a 10.00pm bedtime.
I've also found myself with some extra time on my hands, and decided to give myself a fitness goal. I have downloaded a running app to my phone, bought myself a good pair of running shoes, and set myself a goal to be able to run five kilometres without stopping.
Getting outside for a run each morning gets me some fresh air, allows the endorphins to kick in, and gives me a huge sense of achievement for the rest of the day. Even if my yoga studio closes, all I need to be able to run is the street and a pair of shoes.
Usually, I spend my days on the road, driving from site to site. A consequence of this is that I am often dropping in wherever I can to pick up lunch (read: service station sandwich). I was previously picking up several takeaway coffees a day. These new circumstances mean I have my entire kitchen available to make a fresh, healthy lunch, and it's easy to make a cup of tea to substitute for coffee.
I spend so much time running around on an average workday. Consequently, I don't get much of a chance to have a decent conversation with my colleagues. Interestingly, despite maintaining social distance, my meaningful interaction with colleagues has increased. We are scheduling time to video call, check in on each other and virtually share a cup of tea. Connection doesn't need to take a backseat because of COVID-19 – we just need to be creative about it.
For me, working from home requires a bit of planning. I make a list of the things I need to prioritise across the week, to keep me focused.
Keeping work tasks and home tasks separate is key. During my allocated work hours, I stay in my office and focus on work. When the day is done, I close the office door and any outstanding tasks wait until the next day.
It's not easy, but it's important to focus on the positives in this situation. For me, there are lots of things to be grateful for.
I have gained two hours each day through not needing to commute. I am saving money on fuel. There is an opportunity for me to more easily focus on my wellbeing through good food and exercise, because I am working from home. I work in a role where working from home is possible, and I am very grateful for that. I’m grateful that I have a job in these uncertain times.
Introducing some structure has helped me manage my anxiety through this constantly changing situation. Setting a fitness goal gives me something to focus on and allows me to feel that I can still achieve positive things despite the situation. Focusing on my physical, emotional and mental health in this time makes me feel that I have some control in the face of this pandemic.
This is just what works for me, and we are all different. What works for you? How do you manage adversity, and turn it into opportunity?
If you are struggling and require assistance, please seek appropriate medical care. Lifeline have some great resources to help you during this difficult time: https://www.lifeline.org.au/get-help/topics/mental-health-and-wellbeing-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak.