7 Tips for Resilience, Positivity and Mindfulness in Corona Times
In this article, we discuss some simple resilient and positive mindset choices you can make whilst working at home for the legal industry during these challenging Corona times.
Not so long ago in the legal industry, we started to tentatively talk about how the return to the office might look. It felt like we were seeing the light at the end of the Covid-19 tunnel. We wondered whether remote work and flexibility would stay with us and whether Covid-19 normal workplaces would mean less people on public transport or dining out at Melbourne’s plethora of café’s, restaurants and bars.
Then we hit a speed bump. Community transmission of Covid-19 grew in metropolitan Melbourne and we resumed stage 3 restrictions. We returned to our homes with no visitors, restaurants pivoted back to serving takeaway only and any fantasies about returning to water cooler chit chat in workplaces were shoved firmly to one side. And now, we find ourselves at Stage 4, with more businesses closed, curfews and travel restrictions. It is indeed a world our generation has never seen before.
Victoria’s lockdown 2.0 feels different no matter what stage of your legal career you are at. Melbourne feels somewhat cut off from the rest of Australia who have returned to more relaxed social distancing measures whilst we remain working from home. Many legal industry employees have returned to the juggle of home schooling, some are worrying about elderly parents and all have widely accepted the wearing of masks is just something you do when you leave the house.
Concerns for the mental health impacts of returning to lockdown are widely talked about. At the time this article is published it can be hard to see when the circumstances we find ourselves in are likely to end.
At Legal People we are doing our best to keep up the spirits of our team, our candidates and our clients. We adore Melbourne and all its quirks, multiculturalism, coffee, laneways and rooftops. We also love its people who we know are strong, resilient and do powerful things when they come together.
These are the tips we are using ourselves to keep up our spirits… give them a try yourself!
Please ensure you follow the current government restrictions based on your location.
- Exercise
Walk your dog, ride a bike, go for a run, or invest some time in one of the many online exercise classes that are available on Youtube. Exercise delivers positive endorphins to the brain and feel good chemicals to the body.
- Reach Out to Friends, Family and Colleagues
Staying in close contact with family, friends and workmates on the phone, video calls, text or whatsapp can help ensure you don’t feel isolated. Everyone is experiencing their own version of this global pandemic with each family circumstance unique with its own worries, challenges and demands. Support each other, check in on the most vulnerable and lend an ear to those who need it most.
- Choose Kind
Have you noticed that when you help people, it makes you feel good? Is there a neighbour, friend or colleague that could do with some easy to provide, practical help. Consider paying forward a coffee, cook something for a local friend, or simply make the choice to respond with kindness when you are faced with someone who is getting on your nerves. Give it a try!
- Limit your News Intake
If you find yourself scheduling your day around multiple state and federal news conferences… step away! Try to limit your news intake (can you remember what it was like before the pandemic?) Try and stick only to reputable and reliable news sources and stay informed, but not obsessed. Keep your news intake to only a small portion of your day.
- Have a Daily Routine
We have seen in the legal industry that some staff are working less days, or less hours. Even on the days you are not working, it can help to stick to a routine. Get up at the same time and go to bed at the same time.
Try and keep working hours – it can be way too easy to work all the daylight hours and even into the night when your laptop is within easy reach.
- Look Hard for the Positives
Watch a sunrise or a sunset. Step outside and soak up some nature. See the hints of Cherry Blossom in the suburbs that show us spring isn’t too far away. Watch a game of footy or a Broadway show on Youtube.
Consider any positives you have gained from this whole experience. Have you spent more quality time with family? Have you enjoyed not rushing around? Are you enjoying working from home? Has it given your manager a better perspective into how remote working or flexible working might work in the future? Has your office adopted an innovative new way of dealing with a challenge? Have you found a new skill or hobby? (Sourdough anyone?)
Have you used this time to up-skill in an area of your legal career? Could you?
- The Power of Music
Make yourself an upbeat playlist to listen to whilst you work or tend your garden or do the housework. Music has the power to uplift and change your mood instantaneously. Consider listening to the music of a time when you were the happiest.
- Find a Glimpse of Humour
You don’t need to look too far to find something humorous about the crazy situation we find ourselves in, even on days when grim statistics or further restrictions are being delivered. It’s ok to find some humour in your day (and still be empathetic and sympathetic to the horrible situation globally). Is there a comedian you can follow? Is there a classic comedy you can watch? Is there a meme that makes you smile?
- Ask for Help
Governments, Not for profits and medical professionals have all worked tirelessly to provide information, resources, funding and to raise awareness of the mental health challenges around the pandemic and economic consequences. Please seek help if you are feeling anxious or depressed. Never discount how you are feeling.
Beyond Blue resources are here https://coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au/managing-my-daily-life/coping-with-isolation-and-being-at-home/ways-to-look-after-your-mental-health
Lifeline resources are here
ALPMA resources are here
- Try Mindfulness
A touch of meditation is surprisingly effective and there are some great free apps available to get you started. We particularly like the Smiling Minds app, but there are many other available and free to use.
- Start a Gratitude Journal
Did you know that if you write down 3 things you are grateful for each day, by the end of 21 days, your brain will start to look for positive things? Worth a try.
- The Melbourne Bucket List
Write yourself a nice long list of all the fun things you are going to do when it is over. The theatre? Dinner somewhere fabulous? Dumplings in China Town? Drinks with friends or colleagues? Coffee at your favourite CBD haunt. Maybe a trip to regional Victoria, a hike in the High Country or just a nice big hug with an elderly relative. We are all learning the hard way to appreciate the little things.
The one catch-22 with the highly prized skill of resilience is that it tends to be a learned skill. That is, you need to have lived through, overcome or faced a challenging situation to become resilient. We think 2020 counts. We also think that together we will get through this.
Are you looking for a new and challenging role in the legal industry in Victoria? Legal People is your gateway to legal career opportunities. We are specialists in the Legal Industry. We recruit Lawyers, Support staff and HR professionals in Melbourne, Australia. If you enjoyed reading this article, you can follow our Company Page on LinkedIn for regular updates. To browse our currently available roles click here.
