University of Kent Occupational Health and Wellbeing Manager, Brenda Brunsdon<\/p>\n
This week all the news outlets are telling us to prepare for the \u2018new norm\u2019.\u00a0 How we are individually experiencing life in the lockdown can vary a lot.\u00a0 The \u2018new norm\u2019 will be very different for each of us.<\/p>\n
Amongst other things, the lockdown experience raises the possibility of two extremes in our lives at that moment:<\/p>\n
Moving to working from home during the lockdown was unique for all.\u00a0 It didn\u2019t seem to matter if it was something you did regularly before or never did in your usual working routine.\u00a0 Firstly, there was the logistics of finding space at home to work and organising different equipment.\u00a0 Secondly, for many of us, it was frantic and everything seemed urgent. Thirdly, we all needed to build up new routines so we felt in control of our day.\u00a0 And then, for some, this was overlaid by having to work alongside younger members of the family, just being themselves, and even home-school children at the same time!\u00a0 Quite simply, those in this group might be experiencing the biggest pressures of all!!!<\/p>\n
When we are busy with all the demands that life makes on us, we often long for more time.\u00a0 We envisage how wonderful life would be if we could have the gift of time. How often, though, when we have been on leave for only a few days, at home or away, we start to feel bored.\u00a0 It is usually short-lived because we find something to do.\u00a0 However, that is currently significantly more of a challenge.<\/p>\n
Apparently, from a psychological perspective, there is something that these 2 scenarios have in common: GUILT.\u00a0 There is evidence that we are prey to feeling guilty when juggling childcare with work or when not being engaged in something useful throughout our day.\u00a0 Guilt is a quietly damaging emotion which can gradually wear away our feelings of self-worth and resilience.\u00a0 It is good for us to be gentle on ourselves while we learn to bend and accept our new norms and not feel that we slacking or not making an effort in how we are managing through the crisis.<\/p>\n
Here are links to some articles which give advice and suggestions for both the above scenarios.\u00a0 Hopefully, they will be useful or, at least, make you feel you are not alone.<\/p>\n
I’ve Been Working From Home With Two Small Kids During The Coronavirus Lockdown. Here’s What I’ve Learned; Brilliant article by Emily Ashton on BuzzFeed<\/a><\/p>\n Parents \u2018face extra stress without normal coping mechanisms in lockdown\u2019; PA Media<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n How to Work at Home when You Have Kids; wikiHow<\/a><\/p>\n We’re Really, Really Bored. But Here’s Why We Should Embrace It; article by Amy Packham on HuffPost UK<\/a><\/p>\n How to cope with being bored while social distancing; article by Natalie Morris on Metro<\/a><\/p>\n Wellness Wednesday is part of Kent Sport\u2019s\u00a0 #KentSportStayWellAtHome series of daily blogs and vlogs to keep you positive during these unusual times. To be sure not to miss our updates, Like us on\u00a0Facebook<\/a>\u00a0and follow on\u00a0Instagram<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Twitter<\/a>\u00a0@UniKentSports \u2013 we hope you enjoy and join in!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"