Are you stressed because of quarantine? The new home office + home school and the side effects.

The lockdown is something new to our society. Voluntary quarantine is necessary to stop Corona virus from spreading fast. Now, a week after the lockdown has been implemented in Norway and many other countries, some side effects have come out.

Home office seems to be a good idea so that people don’t lose their jobs and the companies keep going.

School teachers sending daily tasks seems to be a good idea so that children don’t fall back and are able to keep up with the important learning process.

Staying at home seems to be a good idea (necessary), to keep the Corona virus from spreading so fast.

The combination of these three factors, though, can cause lots of stress. I’ve experienced, seen and heard parents trying to keep high level of accomplishment in all their duties: home, work, kids.

Many parents are now supposed to fill in for the school teachers and expected to strictly follow the teachers’ recommendations. At the same time, their bosses expect them to attend meetings via Skype and intranet, and do their current duties. As we are at home all the time, small disagreements can suddenly seem bigger than usual. Outcome can be: anxiety, stress, impatience, argue, divorce, etc.

Today, I saw an interview at local channel (TV2) about mental health. To my surprise, the specialist recognized signs of stress in herself as a home working parent. Her suggestion seems brilliant to me:

We need to adapt, find a new shape for this new system, so that we can keep our minds healthy and in harmony.

We should lower our expectations and demands.

Corona times require that me put life and health first. That includes also mental health.

In Brazil, few years ago, we experienced pubic schools and university teachers going on strike. All students were away from school for a month. All of them survived and continued their studies afterward.

I think the society as a whole (Schools, companies, etc) should review the home office/home school system. Children must learn, but most important: they should feel happy and safe at home. Parents should also feel balanced and have time to “just” play with their kids.

I believe the time for : “I have to do this, I have to do that” has to leave. Now, it’s time for: “I can prioritize and do that later so that I spend good relaxed quality time with myself and my family”. This way, we can produce better both for work and school.

The change has to begin within ourselves. Don’t wait until you have a burnout.

My suggestions:

Go for a walk. If you don’t have symptoms and haven’t been in touch with Corona virus infected people: It’s allowed to take a walk in empty areas like forests, parks, as long as you can keep a distance of minimum 2 meters from somebody else. https://makingnorwaymyhome.com/?s=Let%27s+take+a+walk

Stop watching the news all the time. What you feed your mind is what you’ll become. The saying “you are what you eat” also applies to what you focus on. Reduce the news and tragedies time and increase the feel good time. There is a bunch of good books, videos and films to make you smile, laugh and feel better. Give it a try. https://makingnorwaymyhome.com/my-top-5-norwegian-tv-shows/

Meditation: Take a walk inside your mind. It’s quite easy. Sit in a comfortable position. Close your eyes. Concentrate only on your breathing. Check how the air comes in and out of your lungs. Pay attention only to this sensation. Other thoughts will come to your mind; let them go, don’t follow them. Just let them go. Keep paying attention to your breathing. You can do that for 15 minutes (set a timer). There are thousands of videos on Youtube teaching how to meditate. I assure you: it works. You get calmer and emptying your mind in gold.

Play with your children. Let go of pedagogical demands and just have fun together. Find some activity that you all like. Enjoy yourselves. It’s ok to let them use i pads or tv some part of the day. Just don’t forget them there. Remember when you were a CHILD and playing with mom and dad was the best moment ever.

Home SPA. Take good care of yourself so that you can take good care of your family. Take a long bath/shower. Use aromatherapy, homemade masks, manicure, relaxing music, massage. Be creative. The important is to do things you like. Spoil yourself.