5 Tips to Manage Stress while Working from Home During the Coronavirus Outbreak

With the spread of the novel coronavirus affecting everything from international travel to the availability of hand sanitizer, mitigating the Coronavirus in the United States has become a growing concern. That’s why many companies and colleges and universities are mandating or recommending that employee and students work remotely until the virus can be slowed.

Many of us fantasize about working from the comfort of their own home, foregoing their commute in favor of more sleep, family or exercise time. But working remotely is a double-edge sword. Sure, you get to stay home, but it can be harder to focus on actually working. Plus, the isolation can quickly become a downer for those used to socializing at work. And some people, of course, would prefer to stay in the office. So here are five tips to help manage stress while working from home during the Coronavirus outbreak.

  1. Connect Online with Friends and Co-Workers. Online social interactions with coworkers or friends can alleviate feelings of isolation and loneliness.

  2. Have a Plan. When working alone, you should keep a more structured daily schedule than usual. Utilize tools such as google calendar to keep track of your workday flow and management of work-related tasks.

  3. Setting Clear Expectations. Create a work from home policy with your specific expectations. The policy would include instructions for an employee’s daily work schedule, your company’s overtime policy, description of a dedicated work space, instructions for reporting personal injury and damage to company equipment, and protection of proprietary company information.

  4. Create a Dedicated Workspace. Instead of lying in bed with a laptop, try something more deliberate. The fix could be something as simple as moving a nightstand into a corner far away from distractions, plopping down your computer and sitting in an upright chair, like you would at your office desk. This also serves as an important signal to those who live with you that you’re at work. Create boundaries within your home that your family members understand when you are working and when you are available.

  5. Take a Break. Let's be honest: You don't work eight hours straight in the office or at school. There are coffee breaks, lunch walks and chats with colleagues that give some respite from work. Just because you are working from home doesn't mean you aren't entitled to the same breathers. Hitting the pause button throughout the work day can be a boon to productivity and reduce stress.

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