We all know that the recent COVID-19 pandemic has brought a lot of uncertainty into our lives. Depending on how the recent pandemic has affected your family, some parents are working from home while some are spending more time at their jobs, all the while having to convert their children to new virtual schooling platforms and/or struggle with finding consistent daycare so they can keep working. With all of this uncertainty brings stress and anxiety.
As parents, what can we do to reduce our daily stress as we continue to move through this pandemic? Here are four tips to help you get through this time of anxiousness.
Focus On What Is Within Our Control
There is nothing wrong with staying informed. However, if you are spending a considerable amount of time watching various media outlets and scrolling social media, you might be doing more harm than good. Focusing on what we can control during this pandemic can lead to greater time management, getting more tasks completed, and bring more psychological positivity.
Establishing Boundaries
For all of our work from home parents, this one is incredibly important, especially if you have children participating in the new virtual learning curriculum. As much as all of us love our children, the fact remains that it can be difficult to get work done with them around. If your children are at an old enough age to comprehend, it’s important to establish clear expectations each morning. Letting them know when you are available and when you are not can help as well as giving them a clear list of things to get done that will keep them busy as you work in another room, removing yourself from possible distractions.
Calendar Accountability
As much as all of us enjoy the benefits that technology has brought us for extra accountability such as Trello, Google Calendar, reminders from Siri, etc. I’m still convinced that a physical calendar is the best approach. Growing up, my mother would tell me frequently that her calendar was her “second bible.” Each morning she would organize her thoughts and write down her most pressing tasks to get done for that day. She would always get them done because her calendar and that task list was always in front of her face as a constant reminder.
Step Away
Arguably the most important tip that I could suggest and one that is often forgotten due to the world we live in being filled with constant stimulants and distractions. If you are currently balancing work, children’s schooling, household responsibilities, and more, it’s crucial to find time each day to simply get away, recharge and collect your thoughts. You cannot be of service to anyone if you are operating on an almost empty gas tank. Journal, take a walk, exercise, webchat a friend, listen to calming music, or just sit in silence somewhere. It all can benefit us.
This year so far has definitely brought its fair share of challenges but it is nothing we can’t overcome as long as we stay focused on what is most important in our lives. Remember that life is 10% of what happens to us and 90% how we react to it. Nobody has a clear understanding of when we will be returning to our “normal” everyday routines but with the right structures in place and some extra accountability from sources we trust, we will get through this and we will be stronger because of it.
"Coach Taz" aka Taylor Rodriguez is the owner and head coach of Taz Fitness & Nutrition. He is a Personal Trainer & Nutrition Coach located in Deltona, FL that coaches individuals online and in person. Taylor was a former partying pro wrestler turned fitness enthusiast after the economic downturn of 2008-2010. After losing almost 70 lbs, his new passion is to help struggling individuals find new confidence within themselves to achieve any goal that they see possible. To begin coaching with Taylor or to request a free consultation, contact us today.
Follow us on social media:
Commentaires