Over the past few months, we have gone from commuting to our offices, constantly travelling to events and meetings locally and internationally, to zero travel…

We have saved more time and money than we imagined possible. 

If you are one of the millions of women trying to hold down a full-time job as well as caring for loved ones and homeschooling children in these COVID-19 times, then you must understandably be exhausted. 

Our members at FL are telling us that they have never worked so hard in their lives. Life is incredibly stressful for a lot of women now. 

If you are one of the lucky ones who still has a job and the ability to work remotely then here are some suggestions on how to ease the pressure in these times. 

Take a well-earned vacation. 
We are working more hours than we usually would, so we must take the necessary breaks to help us cope better with the intensity of these times.

You might be working from home, but that is not the same as being on a break and not working. Book some days off and get out of the house. Engage in activities that nourish you. 

Out-of-offices are still valid.
Although we are all mostly cooped up in our homes, no one expects you to be on duty 24/7. Put that “out of home-office” on, giving yourself permission to take a mental break from work. You have earned it, and you will not be penalised for needing a break. 

Switch it up.
Video conference calls now fill our dairies without the usual chitchat and water-cooler moments that spice up the day, giving us the human interactions that our brains crave. We are not wired to spend hours behind a screen and with little or no social interaction. Why not organise a socially distant meeting when you can? It is still ok to have 1-2-1 sessions provided you keep the safe 1m or 2m distance needed to stay safe. Meet colleagues in the car park and conduct your meetings from the safety and comfort of your car. Anything is possible in these COVID times.

Walk and talk.
So why not walk and talk whilst you conduct business? Use the good old mobile phone or a handsfree kit instead of using video so you can walk and talk at the same time. You might be able to get some exercises done as well while getting through your daily calls. Steve Jobs was known to do most of his creative thinking and brainstorming meetings with colleagues while taking walks. 

Space it out.
Take a break in between video calls. It is very tempting to pack our diaries with back to back with meetings because we can. Don’t. Give yourself 15 to 30-minute breaks in between sessions so you can grab your preferred beverage, rest your eyes and give your brain a break from the cognitive overload of virtual meetings. The pauses in between the sessions are just as important as the meetings themselves. 

No meeting days.
Have a day or two when you do not schedule any video calls. Yes, you can. These “no meeting days” will help you limit interruptions so you can get into the flow and do deep thinking and meaningful work that requires long periods of concentration and effort. 

Move your workspace.
It is tempting to keep working in the same location, especially when you have set up the technology to help you work more effectively from that one location. This set up might ultimately restrict your movement tying you to one spot even when the weather is gorgeous. So, in addition to the fixed ergonomic workspace, consider investing in a tablet or other device so you can continue to work effectively from multiple locations at home while still accessing all your files. Work outside when the weather is beautiful and in bed if you need to put your feet up.

Get moving.
Exercise does beautiful things for our mood and well-being. You know what they say about exercise – If exercise were a pill, it would be one of the most cost-effective and most widely prescribed medicine ever. Work some exercise into your schedule for your mental and physical well-being. 

If you have caring responsibilities or are looking after young ones at this time, it is even more important that you take great care of yourself. 

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