5 Ways to Stay Motivated During Social Distancing

We’re living through challenging, unprecedented times. Social distancing has become the new norm, and many people are forced to work from home with children and/or spouses occupying the same spaces.

In such a scenario, it may be difficult to stick to routines, stay motivated, and feel connected to friends and family. With all its difficulties, it’s important to keep in mind that this lifestyle is temporary. And with the right approach and frame of mind, you may find it easier to cope with the situation — even thrive during it. We’ve put together five ways to help you stay motivated and positive during this time.

Create a Productive Environment

If you find yourself working from home due to COVID-19 restrictions, remember: You’re not alone! There are hundreds of thousands of workers who perfected the art of working from home long before the outbreak. Here are some tips the experts swear by: 

• Find a quiet, peaceful corner of your home for your work station. Set up a workspace in your room, in a corner of your apartment, in your den, in a spare bedroom — the most important thing is to reduce noise and distractions as much as possible. For those living with roommates or sharing a home with children and/or a partner, and for whom quiet spaces are few and far between, communication is key. Let your family or roommate know when and where you need to focus and ask that they keep their noise to a minimum. And don’t be afraid to rely on earbuds, if you must!
• A clean desk or workspace matters. In a famous Harvard study, participants were nearly twice as persistent in accomplishing tasks when they worked from clean desks, compared to when they worked from cluttered desks. Clear, clutter-free desks increase productivity, reduce stress, and help you stay focused. 
• Bring in some green. The mere sight of plants has been shown to significantly reduce stress in workers. So, move a house plant close to your workspace, or take advantage of springtime, in the northern hemisphere — if you have a garden, pick some flowers to brighten your space. 
• Get a comfy chair or a standing desk. You’re not going to be very productive if you’re uncomfortable. Find a chair with good back support or a standing desk that helps keep your computer at eye-level. 

Move Your Body

The positive effects of exercise are well-documented and well known. There’s just no substitute for the health-boosting effects of activities like a brisk walk, yoga, a bike ride, a hike, or weight-lifting. Exercise helps stave off disease, enhance your mental health, improve sleep quality, keep your brain active, and strengthen your bones and muscles. 

While your gym or yoga studio may have closed temporarily, there are plenty of ways to keep active at home. Many fitness companies now offer live-streamed or pre-recorded workouts that you can access from home. Try taking a walk or going for a run in the morning, or to break up your day. Get creative with what you’ve got on hand — an old milk jug filled with water makes a reliable weight in a cinch. And don’t forget to check the App Store — at-home workout apps are readily available, many of them for free. 

Stick to a Routine

Routines are so important for our mental, physical, and emotional health. Right now, you may be dealing with a new daily “normal” that has impacted your typical routine. It’s more important than ever, given these circumstances, to establish and stick to a routine as much as you can. 

Routines can help you become more creative, carve out necessary time to accomplish personal goals and tasks, sleep better, improve work or task outcomes, and reduce stress and anxiety. 

Start by tackling your morning regimen. Set a time that you’ll get out of bed, exercise, eat breakfast, and begin work. How many hours will you stick to a task? When will you take your breaks, do laundry, or check in with a loved one? The more predictable you can make parts of your day, the more positive benefits you’ll experience from setting a routine. 

Tackle That Project

Setting goals is extremely beneficial for your overall health. When you focus on a specific task or project, you’ll benefit from a sense of accomplishment and an improved sense of self. And the good thing is, goals don’t always need to be large in scope. Making a plan and tackling even small projects can help you feel the mood-boosting benefits of your accomplishments. 

There’s a compounding effect, too — the more goals you set and tackle, the more optimistic you’ll feel about your ability to do so, which increases your chances of setting and successfully completing more goals. So, if there’s a task or project you’ve had in mind — learning a new skill or language, planting vegetables in your garden, completing a chapter or section of a personal writing project — there’s no time like the present to set and accomplish a goal. 

Stay Connected 

Study after study demonstrates the importance of social connections. Strong social connections have been shown to lengthen life, improve the immune system, and lead to feelings of acceptance, joy, and happiness. 

And social connection is a positive feedback loop — the more you connect socially in meaningful ways, the more you’ll attract strong connections. 

While you’re practicing social distancing, it may feel difficult to maintain these all-important social connections. But with a little creativity, you’ll find that keeping up with your friends and communities is well within reach. Try: 

• Setting up virtual “happy hours” with apps like Zoom or Google Hangouts.
• Start a virtual book club with your friends, and make a plan to meet and discuss the book virtually.
• Call and check in on your friends, family members, and community connections.
• Pick out a movie and make a plan to watch it “together” with your friends, from your own homes.
• Support your local community businesses by ordering takeout dinner or lunch, or by purchasing gift cards for use when social distancing requirements have been lifted.

We may be living in unprecedented times, but there are plenty of ways to stay motivated and connected. With some creativity and planning, you’ll maintain your connections, maintain your physical and emotional health, and stay productive.