This year has been horrible for many of us, but there have been some wonderful innovations and positive changes to the way we live. People can work from home, talk to the doctor over the phone instead of waiting around in a room with sick people, attend virtual conferences and hold virtual dinner parties! Who would have thought that so much difference could be made to the pollution levels around the world just because of a virus?

I am not all that bothered about having to stay at home. One big reason for this is that I am an introvert and spend most of time at home alone anyway. I have worked at home for the past 14 years!!!

But even I can get a bit fed up with the same old same old, and I really do miss the occasional lunch out of the house. I know that many people working from home are really missing the human contact and although they are OK with what they are doing, the novelty wore off a while ago (i.e. like about 4 months ago for some!!!).

So I thought it was time for a few encouraging tips to help you deal with any possible frustration you are feeling about being cooped up.

Tip #1: Go to your work at work for a day

I know that this may not be possible for all of you but if your workplace is welcoming some workers back, plan to go into work for a day. You will have to set the alarm nice and early because it is probably months since you got up before 7.30am right? Make sure you have a plan for transport because the trains and buses are limited in the number of passengers they can carry i.e. be prepared to let a few trains go by before you catch one.

Once you arrive at work and get set up again at a desk that is probably about an inch thick with dust, just see how distracted you are by having people all around you again. Monitor your productivity. Are you mentally checking off all the things you will have to do at home tomorrow because today was a waste of time?

Are you catching up with someone for coffee and lunch? Wow, you will be tired with all that social distancing and hand washing etc.

By the time you reach your house at the end of the day you will be ready and waiting for that quiet day at home!!!

Tip # 2: Change rooms

Once again, this tip may not work for you if you live in a small apartment or house, but a change of position or a change of scenery can make a big difference. Try working outside for a while. Put your sunnies and hat on and you will feel like you are on holidays!

Seriously, a change of position or room can lift your spirits immensely and help with focus.

Tip # 3: Take up a new sport or hobby

By inserting something new in your life like a hobby or sport you will find that you have something to look forward to each day. You might take time out at lunch time to work on your hobby or finish work early a few days a week to go to training for you new sport. Many people will tell you that they are working excessive hours from home leaving them feeling stale and worn out. So it’s time to back off a bit and do something for you for a change.

Tip #4: Stop the virtual drinks and plan something else to do with workmates

Andrew has been working home for the past few months and he diligently attended the virtual drinks on Friday afternoon for the first few weeks. But then he noticed that there were less and less people attending. After all, if you spend all day in Zoom meetings, do you really want to spend another hour socialising in a virtual world? If you really feel to need to connect with work mates maybe you could plan a COVID-safe picnic on the weekend and invite families. Or for those people who are attending a workplace from time to time, organise a weekly lunch together.

Tip #5: Use Essential Oil to create an uplifting and energizing environment

I diffuse Essential Oils throughout my house everyday. The first thing I do in my study everyday before I start work is to blend my oils for an uplifting start to the day. Almost everyday I start with a blend of citrus such as Lime or Grapefruit, a grounding oil like Siberian Fir and something minty such as Peppermint or Spearmint. Throughout the day I mix the oils that I need to suit my moods, energy balance etc. You can create a totally different environment for work as the mood takes you!!!

You can ask us more about these oils and we will help you get started.

What Next?

If you are ready to enter the world of essential oils and you decide to go the doTERRA way, I would love to help you get started and support you if you want some help. Here is how you can do this: go to my doTERRA website to find out about the range of oil and oil based products available for purchase. You can also sign up to become a member on this site. Once signed up you can purchase oils for wholesale prices! But if you would like some more information click on the Contact Me on the doTERRA website and I will respond to your questions.

We hope you will join us at Helpful By Nature by subscribing to our email list. We would love to hear from you, take your questions and provide answers if we are able.

Until next time,

 

 

Gillian (and Andrew)