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WORKING REMOTELY: CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS



By: Bernard Curry, Ph.D., L.C.S.W.
June 15, 2020

In this article, Dr. Bernard Curry discusses the physical, social, emotional, and psychological challenges that comes with working from home and presents some solutions.



PHYSICAL CHALLENGES



AND SOLUTIONS



Regarding the physical aspects, you should consider your physical health, and the setup of your laptop and computer. If something happens to the device you are using, do you have access to another? How about the number of devices on your home wi-fi? Do you have the right modem? What about the speed of your Internet? Contact your Internet service provider.


For your physical health, think ergonomics. How do you feel? Are you rested? Any residual aches and pains from old injuries? Did you eat something before you started? My office is upstairs, and I have gotten in the habit of setting a timer on the microwave downstairs for 30 to 60 minutes so that I take breaks. To turn the timer off, I have to stop, get up, go downstairs, etc., I may set the timer for 10 or 15 minutes depending on how I feel to make sure that I take a break. During the break, stretch, I mean really stretch- taking time to stretch each group of muscles prior to going back to the computer, laptop, or other device.



SOCIAL AND PHYSICAL



CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS



Regarding social, I am not always home alone. I have to tell my wife in advance if I don’t want to be interrupted unless it’s urgent. Usually, it can wait. I have to turn off my phone sometimes, but I have a home phone and email notifications that can interrupt me. I mean, how did people work before the Internet and cell phones? Quite frankly, if I have established a routine, I don’t have time to socialize. This is something everyone has to decided for themselves but can you ignore a text of phone call?


Physical and social aspects impact emotional and psychological well-being. Not enough sleep, disagreements with the spouse, or problems with the boss can negatively affect you. Take a daily poll of how you are feeling on a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being your best feeling. Try to avoid less than a 6, although very few of us have a 10 or a sustained 10. There is the challenge of distractions, which phones can be. But, what about relaxation or background music. Everyone cannot function with background music. Again, this is a decision you have to make.



PSYCHOLOGICAL CHALLENGES
AND SOLUTIONS



Try aromatherapy. Pleasant smells can help relax you. When was the last time you had a complete physical including vision and hearing? Did you know that irregularity (constipation) can negatively impact every sphere? You should how it affects you.



Psychologically, if your head is not able to focus on what needs to be done, things won’t get done or won’t get done in a timely manner or won’t be your best job. The daily poll of on a scale from 1 to 10 also has to do with your psychological wellbeing. It is better to have a positive mental attitude on a consistent basis, but this is not always easy. Here is a 90:10 rule. In this world, 10 percent is what happens to you, and 90 percent is how you respond to it.



NOW WHAT?



To benefit from the things that I have identified, make a list of the things I have presented, and create a check list. Remember, too, sometimes you need to not work and, instead, just go for a walk or drive until you can get back to work, at home.



Dr. Curry is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker since 1995

C.S.T.O.P., C.C.T.P.

Agency website: www.ihccs-inc.com





Chesapeake, VA 23320



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