The prolonged quarantine has left a lot of us very anxious and unable to find the willpower to work – or in some cases, find joy in our daily routine. When the very thought of going outside makes you worry about getting sick, how do you stay motivated?

I’m not going to lie – I’ve really been going through the paces myself during the COVID crisis. But when I feel exceptionally down in the dumps, these simple thoughts keep me going without dismissing the fear or threat of what we’re going through right now. If you’re having trouble taking care of yourself or focusing on work, do try these little tips – they may help you feel more motivated to tackle whatever you need to do!

Create A Solid Routine For Yourself

If you’re a student or employee doing your work from home, it can be very tempting not to follow a schedule. The lack of a schedule can make the days blurry, reducing work motivation and making you feel listless or tired all the time.

Make firm boundaries that create a sense of order in your day by setting a strict wake-up time and work or study hours. Designate times when you can finish, and times for leisure. By keeping up strong lines between work and play, you keep your focus and willpower from being scattered throughout the day. It also makes you feel productive despite the circumstances, and seeing yourself being productive will actually make you more productive – a neat little self-fulfilling trick!

Remember That All Of This Is Temporary

It’s hard to convince yourself of this now, but remember that this situation will eventually end. There have been major epidemics before, and life has eventually adjusted to its new version of “normal” every single time. If you’re missing your friends because of social distancing, or fretting because your boss thinks WFH means “you’re available any time”, keep this in mind: all this too, shall pass.

Practice Self-Care

Self-care is a crucial cornerstone to keeping some peace of mind during this pandemic. If you’re feeling exhausted, gather the courage to tell your boss you need a day off. Don’t feel guilty when you ignore that notification during your lunch hour. Moisturize while you’re taking a stressful call, or make a yummy grazing plate to help you power through that last document.

These little things give you more control over your moods and keep you from feeling deprived during the pandemic. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy – and that’s never been truer than this season of skipping social engagements.

Sustaining willpower can be a challenge right now, especially because we can’t hang out with our friends (and in some cases, family) to blow off some steam. Fortunately, these simple ideas are easy to keep in mind and will help you cope over time with the “new normal”.

Stay safe, stay masked, and remember to maintain some social distancing. While it may be hard to adjust to this new way of living, it’s even harder to recover from this serious illness – so let’s stay safe and just work harder to keep going!