Developing Routine, Keeping Morale High

Flexibility is the key to success.

     As we go through this difficult time it is so important to re-establish a routine and maintain morale. This drastic shift in lifestyle can create anxiety, depression, and stress. Our ability to adapt to change is paramount toward effectively managing our health and well-being. Isolation whether on your own or in a multi-persons environment will take it's toll on the the mind and body.

   Adapting to a new routine will help during times of isolation. Begin by writing down your plan, start with three categories, you can add more categories but I find these three are critical:  Health and Wellness, Morale, and Productive Meaningful Work.

   Under these categories list things that you can do and are willing to do to satisfy each category. Here are just a few practices that works for me:
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-Continue to get ready in the morning, doing this keeps the mind prepared and enables me to be productive. (Health/Wellness and Morale)

-Meditate, this practice lowers stress, and can clear colliding thoughts. This also is personal time, which is super important if you are in a multi-persons home during isolation. (Health/Wellness and Morale)

-Exercise, I don't have any gym equipment, but if able, running, walking, push-ups, sit-ups are all things that are immediately available. Yoga (Health/Wellness and Morale)

-Hobbies, find a new hobby or continue your hobbies. I am picking up the violin and wire wrap jewelry. (Morale and Productivity)

-Communicate, we have an awesome virtual world now I use the zoom platform when I coach. Listen to each other without judgment, everyone has a similar and different idea of what is going on with this pandemic, let them say it out loud. (Morale and Productivity)

-Laugh, I like to play madlibs, you can download the app for free. The app allows you to play in a solitary situation or with others. Super fun in a multi-persons isolation period. (Morale)

-Eat healthy, but also indulge in that mars bar. (Health/Wellness and Morale)

-Discover new ways to help others while in isolation, especially if you are out of work at the moment. I conduct virtual coaching via the zoom platform, and continue to reach out to others to help decompress the mind. (Productivity and Morale)

     After you develop your list start putting it into action to structure a routine. Prioritize and schedule the items. If you are in a multi-persons isolation, have everyone create their own routine schedule and share with the group. If any conflicts between routine surface this would be the time to make any adjustments. Some examples would be creating a shower schedule, house cleaning schedule, etc. 

   This may seem a little trivial in the beginning, but will payoff as the weeks of isolation increase. Establishing a new routine will mitigate conflicts among others, provide the space everyone needs, and balances workloads. 

      Keep Morale High and Stay Safe!
     
Super Awesome Stuff! (The covid is not super awesome, I say this because it keeps my morale high.)
Jeff Saal CPC, ELI-MP