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Alright fellow humans! Due to (unexpectedly) popular demand, here& #39;s a little thread of lizard-brain hacks to help if you& #39;re feeling distracted/unmotivated/frustrated with work during COVID. If you can& #39;t take a break, here& #39;s some suggestions based on my research [THREAD]
TAG round 1: @1vortega @yxssmxn @PedroMMonarrez @LindsayLeaM @MeganHornseth @MSiobhanF @CallMeMO77 @Randi_R_A @GlacierGirlie @WaterAndHazards @LaurenEHostert [Please un-tag each other if replying to this thread so we all don& #39;t get flooded with notifications!!]
Historically, and clinically, treatments for Burnout are similar to that of situational depression because symptoms and outcomes are v similar. Your brain begins to get bogged down by the hum-drum of repetitive, un-stimulating environments that frustrate you. /2
So if you CAN& #39;T take a break, you aren& #39;t suffering & #39;enough& #39; to require medical intervention*, and you& #39;re in lockdown for the forseeable future, these little techniques can help a neurotypical brain think it& #39;s experiencing novelty and motivation again. /3
*Psychiatric-ally
*Psychiatric-ally
In my uber-popular comment thread, I suggested re-arranging your room, shifting the location (or even what direction you face!) of your work station, and putting on silly/power-ballad music to wriggle around to for a sudden-impact change in the environment. /4
Your brain will sense something new, go & #39;oh! A New Thing!& #39; and switch on the focus. Voila! You might be able to work again.
Moving your phone out of the way/setting aside & #39;no social media time& #39; for about an hour or two, and not doing other chores in that room, can help /5
Moving your phone out of the way/setting aside & #39;no social media time& #39; for about an hour or two, and not doing other chores in that room, can help /5
Another demon to focus is a lack of structure. If your sleep schedule is all over the place, and your social media scrolling is happening when checking your emails, you& #39;re setting yourself up for a scattered mind. Even if you sleep in, have a routine when you wake up. /6
For example, no matter when I wake up, my routine is & #39;pat partner gently on the head, wash my face, drink some water, get dressed (into any clothes!), brush teeth and hair, water plants. Then, I check my emails, scroll socials for the news, and begin work approx. 1 hr later. /7
The & #39;pat partner on the head& #39; & & #39;water plants& #39; is because these things make me happy. A little slice of happiness each day is a great way to start, no matter what it is. Ticking things off a list, putting stickers in your planner - if it makes you smile, do it! /8
Obligatory & #39;sleep hygiene, health & wellbeing& #39;. Don& #39;t go to bed with your notifications on, turn off all screens, don& #39;t overload yourself with sugar, and do some exercise - anything - to prevent RSI and becoming sedentary. Your body WANTS to be a potato* - don& #39;t indulge it!! /9
* - Ableist comments regarding & #39;being a potato& #39; aside, I mean that the human body will be inactive, snug, and cosy all day every day if you allow it. This impacts your focus and motivation, too, because it& #39;s so easy to forget humans aren& #39;t SUPPOSED to hibernate. /10
In the Northern Hemisphere, winter will make it even more challenging. It& #39;s dark, cold, and (for some) quite miserable. This is when you lean into Hygge - being cosy. Warm-white fairy lights, scented candles, soft music, and hot beverages will make winter-work more pleasant. /11
Another way to promote mental novelty is through the 5 senses. A scented candle you use when working, a specific type of music (I use EDM/dance tracks, but whatever works for you) or even putting on a hat ONLY when working, can do wonders for your ability to switch & #39;on& #39;. /12
TAG round 2: @pharmphreshsci @GwendolynErin7 @ClareHorscroft @Skaadenfroid @AmandaLiinds @DharleneValeda @JTbough @RobertCMahon @R_J_Gilmour @sschmoelzl @derek_detweiler @PowersMaura - Again, please un-tag others if replying to this thread so we don& #39;t get snowed under!
So, you& #39;ve switched off anxiety-inducing social media and your desk is tidy and clean. How to motivate yourself? Well, time to contact a colleague! Have a & #39;boost& #39; sesh where you talk about what you& #39;re up to, why you& #39;re doing it, and what you& #39;re looking forward to tomorrow. /13
Occasional reminders of your progress, and verbally reinforcing the reason behind WHY you& #39;re working during a pandemic in a closet, can spur you back into feeling excited about the job. I do unpaid academic work because I KNOW I& #39;m helping someone. Anyone. This is for them. /14
& #39;Fake it til you make it& #39;. I used to ironically/sarcastically say & #39;omg this is great& #39; when I hit my small toe on a table/spill coffee/write TERRIBLY. Eventually, I said it often enough I actually found the humor in it. Now I can actually smile through an AWFUL experience. /15
You have the power to convince yourself that you& #39;re having fun. Saying & #39;yay! More emails!& #39; when your inbox makes that notification sound actually makes it feel exciting. Singing the & #39;replying to my Professor& #39; song makes it a sesame-street-quality event rather than a chore 
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🤣" title="Lachend auf dem Boden rollen" aria-label="Emoji: Lachend auf dem Boden rollen"> /16
Yes, you may feel ridiculous. And yes it& #39;s quite daft, but I would rather get strange looks from my neighbours if I sing & #39;the trash is spilling every-wheeere!& #39; and laugh about it than to have my day ruined by bin-juice. Embrace the silly, it& #39;s better for your blood pressure. /17
And finally, my best move yet, is the & #39;programming duck& #39;. You know how errors in code can be identified by explaining the issue verbally to a rubber duck? Take a childhood toy and make them your coworker. If you get stuck, feel free to rant at Pickles about it. It helps. /18
Pickles is a non-judgemental, plagiarism-safe sounding board for my issues and ideas. If I get frustrated and yell & #39;WHYY?!?!& #39; at Pickles, I& #39;m not hurting anyone, and usually that glassy-eyed stare I get in response is just the thing I need to have a light bulb moment. /19
As a researcher studying burnout and employee mental wellbeing - having worked in total isolation for three years BEFORE COVID hit - I can speak from experience when I say that ten minutes in the sun, a mouthful of spinach, and turning my childhood toy into a coworker, works. /20
(Yes, a literal mouthful of spinach. I don& #39;t have the energy to make a salad or a sandwich some days so I do what I need to for a healthy snack instead of a mouthful of chips. I regret nothing because it works. I hope some of these work for you!) /21
TAG round 3: @thephysicsmill @CnicoleScience @BrianToad @cristenw @tayaziz_ @SimonWindley @VSmithPharmD @MicrobialMelody @JessNash_ @BobHole @Doc_Shook @manzanita_sw @dots_to_connect @aellis1994
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