Mental Health Moments: How To Remain Productive and Lessen Anxiety While Working From Home

⌛ By Kaylin R. Staten ⌛

I don’t usually release back-to-back #mentalhealthmoments blog posts, but I think our mental health becomes more important as each day passes. So, we’ll have blog posts focusing on mental health every Tuesday for the distant future (it helps me and will hopefully help you!). 

I’m on Week 12 of my self-quarantine, and trust me when I say this: I find it difficult to maintain a certain level of motivation during these challenging times. Like many of us, I hyperfocus on press conferences and the latest news about COVID-19/novel coronavirus. (Obviously, due to my line of work, I assess the pros and cons of each press briefing and THEN pay attention to the news at hand.)

I’d admit that I really, really want to escape into public at this point. And keep this in mind -- I am a natural introvert! While this self-quarantine isn’t as terrible for an introvert like me, I DO have my limits. There are only so many books I can read, hours of video games I can play, and work I can proactively complete.

And cue the daily freakouts about worrying about running out of food. (I mean, this second-trimester expectant mom has ravenous cravings at this point. :/) 

How can you maintain your sanity -- especially with work initiatives -- when you’re cooped up in your home? Here are three ways that help me:

Keep a (modified) schedule.

On weekdays, it has really helped me to get up at a certain time and then end work at the same time every day. Of course, there are exceptions and those occasion bouts of coveted second winds, but keep to a daily schedule. I am used to a mix of working from home and then having meetings out in the community, so this remote-working-only schedule has thrown me for a loop as well. As a self-starter at heart, I have been struggling with maintaining productivity (much less motivation) during this unprecedented time in our collective history. So, I understand what you are going through! Even if you are struggling to make it through the day, try your best to craft a schedule that works for you and stick with it. Unless there’s a press conference to watch, of course. 

Limit distractions during work time. 

Many of us are finding ourselves having to work at home for an undisclosed amount of time, perhaps for the first time ever. How can you remain productive and actually get work done? Limit your distractions. It’s SO tempting to watch the latest YouTube video from your favorite influencer, binge watch a Netflix series, and get lost in the black hole of stories on the Internet. A good measure is to work 50 minutes and rest for 10 minutes. Then, repeat that cycle during your work day in order to limit your distractions. It does also help to bribe yourself with a little extra something to help you get through the work day, whether it’s sitting on the couch doing nothing or doing something more active, like taking a walk (safely, 6 feet away from others). Of course, there’s not much you can do during stay-at-home orders, so remember to just do the best you can in the season we find ourselves in. 

Talk about your fears with someone. 

My poor husband. Since we are currently remotely co-working in the same space, he gets the privilege of talking me off the ledge. As a PR practitioner, it’s part of my job to keep processes running smoothly and ensure accurate information reaches target audiences. Sometimes, I need someone to do the same for me, and my husband is my saving grace when it comes to helping me with my anxiety. So, if you need to take a break from work or whatever you are doing, then take that break. You can pick up what you’re doing later on. Call or schedule a FaceTime chat with someone you love. All of us have specific fears and ways COVID-19 has disrupted our lives, and talking with someone really does help. So, does therapy, my friend.

Also, pets help soothe your anxiety and fears, too.

Please note: These blog posts are not clinical, although we will provide symptoms and other information. These posts are based on my experiences with anxiety and mental health in general. If you or someone you know needs help, visit a website like Mental Health America to learn more.

Mental Health Moments blog posts are every other Tuesday of the month. Our CEO and contributors highlight what it's like to live with a mental health disorder and continue to fight the stigma through storytelling.

Kaylin R. Staten, APR, is an award-winning public relations practitioner and writer based in Huntington, WV with nearly 16 years of professional communications experience. As CEO and founder of Hourglass Media, she uses her compassionate spirit and expertise to delve into the heart of clients’ stories. She is a recovering perfectionist, mental health advocate, wife, expectant baby + cat mom and Leia Organa aficionado. Connect with Kaylin on LinkedIn.