"The 4-7-8 breathing technique, also known as “relaxing breath,” involves breathing in for 4 seconds, holding the breath for 7 seconds, and exhaling for 8 seconds. This breathing pattern aims to reduce anxiety or help people get to sleep. Some proponents claim that the method helps people get to sleep in 1 minute. There is limited scientific research to support this method, but there is a lot of anecdotal evidence to suggest that this type of deep, rhythmic breathing is relaxing and may help ease people into sleep." - Medical News Today
Remember to take a break and hit pause once in a while. Working from home when you're used to working in a physical office may impact emotional and mental health without us knowing it. The sudden change in the working rhythm and system might be overwhelming at the beginning. Because there are no walks to the store downstairs or lunch breaks with colleagues, one might end up working longer than usual. Here are some realizations I've made while working from home during this lockdown:
Catch yourself if you're spending too much time in front of the screen, or allow yourself breaks in between working.
Make an effort not to do too much work. Do not multi task work with house chores. Do one thing at a time, as we take things one day at a time.
Do not work on your bed. Do your best to separate rest from work even while at home.
When you're spending time with family or pets, separate your mind from work. Give them your full attention.
Do not forget to eat!
Make a routine for yourself: get up, exercise, shower, have coffee, work, take a break, and don't forget to sign off (not too late) at night.
Because there is no hard stop to working (i.e. leaving the office to head home or to meet friends), you have to be mindful of when to leave the rest of your work for the next day.
And that's what I did for the past three days. I took it easy on myself. I removed the expectations of learning so many things and finishing so much projects just because we are all locked in for more than a month. Take time to rest, relax, and do nothing. We all need to recharge. Mental, emotional, and spiritual health is as important as physical health. And during these crazy times, health is not only wealth, but one's ultimate survival.
April 8: COVID-19 positive: 3,870, with a total of 82 who've passed and 96 recoveries
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