It took just a few weeks and hundreds of thousands of people found themselves working remotely. The COVID-19 pandemic changed the nature of work, family life, relationships with friends or cultural habits for many. Even though the lives we used to live were demanding at times, the lockdown possesses totally new challenges.
As much as this crisis is a challenge for us all, it creates new opportunities to pursue. All it takes is the right attitude and you will be able to take care of your family while being productive enough to keep up with your work and achieve your goals. So what are the best ways to stay productive during the lockdown? Let’s dive into the productivity tips to achieve more when working from home.
Fuel up
With the World Health Organization (WHO) saying that a healthy diet could speed up one’s recovery shall they contract COVID-19, it is absolutely vital to consider what you eat while in lockdown. Nevertheless to say that a healthy and balanced diet will boost your productivity by a lot.
Variety is the key. By eating a mix of food every day, you ensure that each part of your body gets nutrition and vitamins it needs. With supermarkets running low on usual cupboards staples, it may not be easy to always get your favourite food, but it is a great opportunity to explore other foods.
Try alternative snacks. Generally, it is advised that you limit sugar intake as much as possible. That, however, does not mean that you cannot treat yourself with a healthy snack or two. Going for a healthy snack, such as fresh fruits or homemade wholemeal biscuits, will surely give you the energy you need.
Stay hydrated. Drinking enough water is absolutely crucial for maintaining optimal health. The best you can do is to opt for tap water whenever possible. Other than that, getting hydration via squash, tea or coffee is also beneficial.
Reinvent the way you work
According to the Office for National Statistics, 70% of workers in the UK (23.9 million people) had no experience of working from home, before the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. That is most probably the biggest reason why many of us feel less productive when working from home. This is, therefore, the best time to reinvent our working habits, so that we will not struggle with productivity no matter the circumstances in the future.
Improve focus. The past couple of weeks seem to have gone quite quickly. It is the endocannabinoid system inside the human body that is trying to adapt to the new normal. It is the system responsible for creating homeostasis (equilibrium) within the body, eventually affecting our productivity. Thankfully, there is a scientifically proven way of managing the stress we face because of lockdown. CBD, an abbreviation for cannabidiol, is a non-psychoactive compound with calming effects, which is perfect for improving focus in these unsettling times. A variety of CBD products, such as oils or capsules, can be bought online and easily added to your coffee or tea.
Take a break. Such simple advice is especially important during these times. We should truly focus on not overloading our mind with work, so taking regular breaks is a vital practice. Be it a quick snack, a short walk or a quick call with family, taking a break will help you to feel fresh and productive when back working.
Unplug
One of the biggest disadvantages of working from home is that our personal and work-life merge unless we are strict enough to keep them separated. Even though it might be hard to draw a line between these two worlds, the separation of the two is very likely to make us way more productive. So how can you get high-quality downtown during the lockdown?
Connect with family and friends. Humans are by nature social animals, and so need a regular dose of communication. With social distancing guidelines and the recommendation to stay at home, keeping in touch with loved ones is not as easy as usual. Thankfully, there are so many digital tools out there making it super convenient to chat with family and friends. When was the last time you call somebody?
Pump it up. Regular exercise is among the WHO advice for maintaining a healthy lifestyle while in lockdown. It is believed to help speed up the recovery of a human’s body when suffering from COVID-19 and also boost your productivity level.
Start something new. There is, for sure, something you wanted to start or learn for a long time. Be it a new language, a programming project or a new song, now is the time to do it.
Set the basis for the next day
Reflect on your day. Even though you may feel like the days in lockdown are the same, reflecting on them will help you notice even the small steps you are making in the right direction. That will give you the feeling of accomplishment and free you up from the constant need to do more while boosting your morale and productivity.
Improve your sleep. With the lockdown affecting almost every aspect of our lives, many people have found themselves suffering from insomnia. If reducing the screentime before bedtime or counting sheep is no longer effective in making you fall asleep, CBD may help you reverse that trend. Know mostly for its calming effects, it tackles the root causes of insomnia. Placing a few drops of CBD oil on your pillow before going to sleep can make a huge difference.
Fighting together
All in all, staying productive during lockdown is a daunting task for many. And that is sometimes the most important part – we are in this together, facing different challenges, but together hoping for better tomorrows. Do not let the situation interfere with your goals and dreams, our tips are here to help you get on the right track of being productive to achieve anything you want!
