Communications and PR professionals are used to dealing with crises. But COVID‐19 has given new meaning to the term. No matter whether you're dealing with the stress of the infectious outbreak or just managing more “normal” crises, a few simple techniques can help you relax and do your job better, says Renée Peterson Trudeau, work‐life balance speaker and author (Austin, TX).
“‘Caring for myself is not self‐indulgence; it is self‐preservation,’” she notes, quoting the writer Audre Lorde.
Trudeau offers these four self‐care tips to help you “rock your game” whether working at home or in a more traditional setting:
Start every day intentionally. “Rather than just flopping into your day or looking at your phone or whatever, enter the day with some intention,” Trudeau advises. You might reflect on your big picture for the day or set some goals.
Get physically active. “Move a muscle and change a thought,” Trudeau advises. Research suggests even minor amounts of physical activity, like walking around the block, stretching or working out for 10 minutes, can improve energy levels and prime your brain. “It moves us into a space to be much more productive and have a more enjoyable day,” Trudeau says.
Go outdoors. “Tons of science show nature is the ultimate anti‐depressant,” Trudeau says. Take a break occasionally and step outside, even if that just means sitting on your porch, on a blanket in your back yard or under a tree across the street from your office. Connecting with nature can calm your nervous system and boost creativity, productivity and problem‐solving.
Connect with other people. “Connection is medicine,” Trudeau says, citing work by Johann Hari. If you are working from home alone, reach out to friends via phone, Zoom or other means. Whether at home or working with others, you can feel isolated if conversations don't seem to matter. Trudeau's family makes a morning ritual of asking each other about the one thing they're looking forward to that day. “Really taking some time to connect has an enormous impact on our immune system, on our emotional well‐being and how we feel about being in the midst of this crazy time and this crazy experience,” Trudeau says.
Source: Renée Peterson Trudeau, Work‐Life Balance Speaker/Author, Austin, TX. Phone (512) 459‐6700. E‐mail: renee@reneetrudeau.com. Website: https://reneetrudeau.com/