Letter from the Editor… If I’ve ever heard this phrase, or what it stands for, it’s now during the COVID-19 Pandemic! Keep motivated, be consistent, build a routine, keep on schedule, take breaks, be spontaneous, etc, etc. The world of COVID-19 has presented some challenges for us social beings. Working in a station/office and having to keep physically distanced, with little or any camaraderie during dinner or throughout the day, working a much more flexible schedule, not seeing our co-workers at work, not getting together with family or friends. Even working a remote schedule has us working in unconventional ways, many hours, sometimes more than our 35 to 45 each week. Even without commuting, the need to meet goals, to complete work, to keep productive is still a priority albeit, the move toward wellness—a work/life balance has become what government and employers alike are encouraging employees to achieve. The recommendations below about how to stay on track are some ways to always help us with our mental facets always and more especially through this pandemic. Now that I am not attending training or in a classroom learning, I am watching many webinars and the message is the same—keep your routine as similar as it was before. Even if unable to go to the gym, keep an exercise regime, use technology as a resource, though limit watching and listening to newscasts. Minimize use of cell phone at bedtime. Keep a daily journal and write down thoughts and feelings especially when experiencing stress or anxiety. Enjoy a staycation given travel bans. Finally, do what makes you happy and is still within your control
TORONTO FIRE SERVICES EAP/CIS NEWSLETTER
Lynn Sciberras
and practice gratefulness. Remember not to sweat the small things and prevent losing sight of what really matters and keep us mentally healthy. It’s natural to feel like so much of what’s happening is beyond our control. However, there are ways to be productive, proactive and gain some peace of mind by focusing on those areas that we can control and make us happy. Three important takeaways
When we focus too much on others, we lose sight of ourself. Find one good thing in every day at minimum, don’t lose sight of possibilities and what is still within our control. Do – Be – Act. Practice Practice Practice – we need to keep motivated and if we do things only occasionally, it does not become part of us. Mike outlines “how to” put it all together to survive life during a Pandemic and make the most of life during and post.
VOLUME 14 | ISSUE 3 | FIRE WATCH
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