Confinement is in effect until February 8 (or longer) and this time with a curfew. This exceptional situation took precedence over the reluctance of some employers, and even some employees, to telework. Time wasted in traffic and crowded public transport, little coffee with colleagues, informal discussions in the hallways and face-to-face meetings have given way to flexible hours and virtual meetings. For some, balancing work and family at the same time and in the same place is a daily challenge. Welcome to the world of teleworking!

But how can you be successful in teleworking, avoiding pitfalls so as not to feel like a caged lion? How do you maintain a good spirit, maintain a routine, remain productive, and eat well?

Work Organization

Even though there are many advantages of working from home, productive teleworking requires a minimum of discipline and organization. Different avenues are available to make the transition smooth.

First of all, organize your workspace to be both comfortable and cut off from the outside world.  Use headphones if necessary.  Set goals for yourself.  Plan your day so you don’t go from one task to another and never finish them.  Since you can no longer chat near the coffee machine, take breaks, change positions, get some fresh air.  And please don’t spend the day in your pajamas!

To find out more: par le temps qui court, offers us ten practical tips for successful containment.

Solo confinement

With the pandemic, there has been an increase in anxiety, caused by several factors. The isolation and financial losses that some people have had to endure have certainly contributed to weakening the mental health of Quebecers.

If you are confined alone, discouragement and lack of motivation can sap your energy. Four Quebec adventurers (Sébastien Lapierre, Mylène Paquette, Martin Trahan, and Marie-André Fortin) shared their experience of isolation and confinement with Espaces.

It turns out that our attitude, the way we approach a problem, will have a great influence on our spirits and our motivation. Chasing toxic thoughts, accepting and adapting to different situations, saving time for yourself, indulging yourself, and even simulating an emotion can be beneficial.

When appetite goes, anything goes!

Surveys show that people are cooking more since confinement and they are eating less processed food.

Since they have more time at their disposal, some are taking advantage of this time to improve their diet by adopting better habits, says Isabelle Huot.

If you work from home, it is important to continue to plan your meals, shop accordingly, and plan options for backup. A few frozen meals can also be handy.  If you really feel the need for a snack, opt for fruit, yogurt, or nuts.

Confinement can also be an opportunity to encourage local purchasing to support small producers.  If you have developed good habits, try to maintain them after confinement.

Several sites are available to advise you and help you manage this unusual situation. Don’t hesitate to consult them and don’t forget to indulge yourself! You deserve it!