Creating a new sense of normal when your everyday routine is disrupted is very important for your wellbeing and motivation. As the global spread of Covid-19 rises it\u2019s essential for us to temporarily change our behaviour to protect ourselves and others. The guidance aims to help you through these unprecedented times.<\/p>\n
Create and maintain a schedule<\/strong> Go outside<\/strong> Keep in touch<\/strong> Stay upbeat<\/strong> Use the extra time wisely<\/strong> Use technology for good<\/strong> Work on new projects<\/strong> Look after your mind and body<\/strong> Be supportive<\/strong> Animals often help<\/strong> Remember<\/strong> Quick tips<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 Take heed of government guidance and University advice.<\/p>\n \u2022 Clean your phone and technology.<\/p>\n \u2022 Get dressed, it\u2019ll make you feel ready for work or study.<\/p>\n \u2022 Keep your workspace separate from your relaxing, off-duty space.<\/p>\n \u2022 Be clear about your working or studying hours.<\/p>\n By Laura Haveron.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Creating a new sense of normal when your everyday routine is disrupted is very important for your wellbeing and motivation. As the global spread of Covid-19 rises it\u2019s essential for us to temporarily change our behaviour to protect ourselves and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24460,"featured_media":340,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/students\/files\/2020\/03\/yoga.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/students\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/339"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/students\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/students\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/students\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24460"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/students\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=339"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/students\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/339\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":341,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/students\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/339\/revisions\/341"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/students\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/340"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/students\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=339"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/students\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=339"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/students\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=339"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\n\u2022 If you\u2019re working or studying from home, set yourself a timetable and stick to it. It\u2019ll give you a sense of purpose and keep you on track. Build in breaks to provide structure and rest, stand up and walk around at least once an hour and keep hydrated. Consider eating lunch on FaceTime with friends away from your workspace, inside or outside.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 Spending time in nature is good for you. Don\u2019t underestimate the power of fresh air \u2013 get outside, whether in your own garden or in your local area, at a safe distance from others. Notice what is going on around you \u2013 birdsong, bumblebees, budding leaves and new blooms won\u2019t stop.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 Use WhatsApp and other apps to keep in touch with people. Make sure that those who want to be involved and in contact are included. Check in at regular intervals throughout the day. Use FaceTime and Microsoft Teams to chat face-to-face with colleagues or peers and keep upbeat and informed. Use the phone to talk too \u2013 hearing another voice when you\u2019re home alone can be helpful and can be a good way of sounding out your ideas.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 Anxiety can be contagious. So can kindness, hope and positivity. Choose wisely. We can\u2019t control a lot of what is going on at the moment, but we can try to control our reaction and response.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 Use the time you\u2019d normally spend commuting, making a packed lunch or preparing to leave the house usefully. Do some exercise, do your household chores or check in with friends, colleagues, family and neighbours.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 24\/7 news is amazing but don\u2019t over-consume it. Watching endless breaking news can be mentally draining and can skew your view of reality. It can also have a negative impact on your concentration and motivation. Set yourself a limit for news consumption and only check rolling news at set intervals. Avoid passive scrolling, choosing to actively engage in positive ways instead.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 Use the time and space of this situation to pick up on work you\u2019ve been wanting to do for a while. Use any spare time to finish projects, develop new ideas, read or do research.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 Exercise, eat well and rest well. Stretch, read, move around and do breathing exercises. Use fitness apps and YouTube to take part in exercise \u2013 there are endless guided classes online. Do some yoga, bodyweight intervals or meditation in your living room or outside space and make the most of the time available to build positive new habits. Hug your pets!<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 Doing our best to support each other, even when we may feel down or unsettled ourselves, can lift our spirits. Remember that we all have different attitudes, worries, and priorities at this time and be sensitive to this. What you may see as irrational behaviour is most likely driven by fear and unease, be patient with others and be nice to people.<\/p>\n
\nLooking for some heart-warming entertainment to enjoy from the comfort of your own home? Zoos and aquariums all around the world have launched virtual footage of their attractions and animals. Check out Edinburgh Zoo<\/a>, Live Royal Albatross Cam<\/a> and Wildlife Trust Webcams<\/a> to get you started.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 We\u2019re genuinely all in this together. This is a pandemic and will affect us all in some way. No one knows what\u2019s going to happen and no one knows all of the answers. We\u2019re all winging this to some extent so be understanding of others and don\u2019t be too demanding. Do your part to do your best and take care.<\/p>\n