The Tribune

The past five months have been a difficult time for businesses and employees as they grapple with reduced hours, pay, work and customer engagement due to COVID-19. These losses have resulted in stress which, for many, has become distress. Large numbers of employees in both the private and public sectors are overwhelmed and perplexed when looking to the future.

Traditionally, when people’s lives become chaotic, many run to their biological or church families for refuge. COVID-19 has even removed some of these opportunities, leaving many without these supporting pillars.

Our emphasis today, then, is to share ways for coping with the depression that may be looming, and overcoming the struggles that isolation, lockdown or perhaps quarantine might bring.

Here are nine suggestions for remaining positive and productive during lockdown:

1. Work. In addition to financial reasons, working can be important for your self-esteem and it adds to your social identity. Stay active and do something meaningful. If you are blessed to still have a job during all of this, do not take that for granted. Get busy and show your employer why they need to keep you employed.

2. Tell a trusted coworker. Knowing that someone accepts your condition can be comforting, and it may reduce any anticipatory anxiety about having a panic attack at work. Do not struggle with depression alone. Let someone know you are feeling down. It is fine to ask for help. Later you can return the favour to someone who has helped you through a rough patch.

3. Educate yourself. Learn to recognise the symptoms of your disorder and how to handle them. Depression and anxiety are real illnesses that can lead to serious and lasting conditions.

4. Practice time management. Make “to-do” lists and prioritise your work. Schedule enough time to complete each task or project. The stress that often becomes distress is as a result of the chaos we cause on ourselves. Organise your life and start to de-stress by removing the clutter. Plan and prepare for every assignment that you have, and remember to be realistic. Set mini-deadlines for yourself. Anticipate problems and work to prevent them.

5. Avoid toxic co-workers and environments. Try to ignore negativity and gossip in your workplace. Pessimistic people who want to speak ill of their company leadership, the government and anything or anyone else should be avoided at all costs when your emotional immune system is running low on fuel. It is true. Misery loves company.

6. Take breaks. A walk around the block or a few minutes of deep breathing can help clear your head. This may be a good time to visit the Family Islands on vacation. A change of scenery may work well for you. Go out in the back yard and set up your office there. Take an online cooking course. Shake it up a bit. Break the monotony.

7. Set boundaries. Do not bite off more than you can chew. Follow basic rules, such as not checking your work e-mail or voice mail after hours. Communicate and speak up, calmly and diplomatically, if you have too much to handle. Your supervisor may not realise you are overextended.

8. Take advantage of employer resources and benefits. Your workplace may offer an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), discounts to gyms, or skill-building courses. Learn what is available to you. You are not abnormal for feeling the way you do. Talk to a professional. It is really OK.

9. Be healthy. Eat healthy, get enough sleep, exercise regularly, and limit caffeine and alcohol. Try to keep your body and mind in shape to handle challenging situations.

NB: Ian R Ferguson is a talent management and organisational development consultant, having completed graduate studies with regional and international universities. He has served organsations, both locally and globally, providing relevant solutions to their business growth and development issues. He may be contacted at tcconsultants@coralwave.com.