Coronavirus Melbourne lockdown: how to be productive working from home
Occupational therapists are sharing how to stay healthy and sane during lockdown, including suggestions on working and fitness activities. Here’s how you can be your best self at home.
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A Preston researcher, in partnership with Occupational Therapy Australia, has released a guide to your lockdown wellbeing.
Occupational therapist and PHD candidate Lorrae Mynard compiled the document to help people consider how they can adapt their old life to their now unusual situation.
“The current restrictions caused by COVID-19 are dramatically affecting how people live their everyday lives, and many will struggle to respond to the challenge effectively,” Ms Mynard said.
Titled Normal Life Has Been Disrupted, the guide has a range of advice on everything from productivity to self care.
Advice includes:
- Think about the roles you normally play, and how you can play them now. If you usually chat with your neighbour over the fence, pick up the phone or drop them a letter.
- Avoid spending all your time in one place, like at your desk. Try stretching while watching lectures, standing up during phone calls, and sitting on the couch when reading documents.
- If you’re struggling for routine, try wearing clothes or accessories that help you identify with work – like an employee lanyard or uniform.
- Share leisure time with a friend. Watch a movie or listen to some music and talk about it over the phone. You can even go to a virtual exhibition by browsing a gallery’s online collection.
Pascoe Vale general practitioner Dr Elizabeth Williams said the guide provided clear and practical advice necessary in these “difficult times”.
Ms Mynard said the positive response to the guide, from the public and from health professionals, had been overwhelming.
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It is now being translated into Italian, Hebrew, Czech, Slovakian and French.
Occupational therapists (OTs) work with individuals and groups to improve health and wellbeing through participation in life activities, including work and leisure.
The guide has been published on the Occupational Therapy Australia website and is free to download here.