Returning to Work Anxiety

With many people returning to work, a great number of them may be feeling anxiety about possibly being exposed to COVID-19 or simply returning to their old routine after months of working from home. Here are some tips to ease your anxiety as you prepare to return to work.

If possible, try to get back into your previous work routine at home before physically returning to work. For example, start getting up at the same time you did to go in to the office, get dressed for work as you did before, and try to stick to the routine you had when you were in the office, i.e. if you regularly took lunch at 1pm, take lunch at that same time at home.

Ensure you are getting a healthy night’s sleep. Getting enough sleep can make an incredible difference in our mood and amount of anxiety during the day. This means going to bed and getting up at a decent time. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends 7 or more hours of sleep per night for adults 18-60 years old. For ages 61-64, 7 to 9 hours is recommended, and 7 to 8 hours for ages 65 years and older.

Remember to give yourself the okay to feel anxious. In times of uncertainty and changes, it’s normal to feel anxious and you are not alone in these feelings. What you feel is real and should be acknowledged, however, letting it take over your life can be detrimental to your overall health and well-being. Talk to your Human Resources department, your loved ones about your fears or reach out for professional help.

Resilience and Reinvention

As the pandemic drives our businesses to change and we adapt to “survival mode”, we now more than ever need our leaders to help us rise above and continue to grow using the two attributes of the human spirit that help us remember that we can get through this together. Find out more and learn how to harness these traits to help your business and your people thrive.

https://www.digitalistmag.com/future-of-work/2020/05/29/resilience-reinvention-06203877/

OSHA: Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19

As businesses begin to reopen, the safety of each employee remains the number one priority. Learn more about the guidelines as we work together to defeat the coronavirus and revive the economy.

https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/covid-19/

Spc. Cindy Beaudoin, 19, Plainsfield, Connecticut

Cindy Marie Beaudoin arrived at the University of Connecticut as a first-year student in September 1990. Just a month earlier, Iraq had invaded Kuwait. Cindy enrolled in the usual liberal arts courses, facing the terrors of college calculus and chemistry. On November 17, her life turned a corner. Cindy was also Specialist Beaudoin, a soldier in the 142nd Medical Company of the Connecticut National Guard. Her company was called up to active duty. Specialist Beaudoin, at age 19, was on her way to the war that waited in the Persian Gulf. Cindy withdrew from classes rather than opt to make up the work when she returned. "I probably won't remember half the stuff I've learned when I get back," she explained.

On Sunday, January 13, 1991, just days before Operation Desert Storm was to be ended, her unit left for Saudi Arabia. The 142nd moved forward behind advancing combat units when the ground war began on February 24. Specialist Beaudoin penned a two-line stanza on her helmet that read: "Look at this place that we have found. No one knows where we are bound.”

Four days later, Iraq's army had been routed, and President Bush declared a cease-fire. The war was not over yet for Specialist Beaudoin. The 142nd's journey had taken it north from Saudi Arabia into Iraq and then east to just across the border into Kuwait. There, at about 3:00 P.M. on February 28, an explosion rocked the 142nd's convoy. "God-damn," trooper Beaudoin shouted as she tumbled from her truck; "They're firing at us." A moment later she realized that she had been hit. The cause of the blast is still uncertain. It hardly matters. Cindy Beaudoin's leg was gone; shrapnel had torn her abdomen. Three hours later she was in a medivac helicopter headed for the rear. It wasn't soon enough; after just 8 days in country, Cindy died during the flight. There is, in war and death, a grim equality.

With everyone working through so many challenges in light of the pandemic – we hope that you and your loved ones are healthy, and that you are managing through it all.

With our team members, we created a Virtual Care Package in the hopes that – for just a moment – it lets you escape. You can listen to music, follow a great recipe, and more. Here is our message to you: https://youtu.be/bh78LwglMeg

Galactic's Spotify Playlist

When we need a pick-me-up, we turn to music. So, just for you, we've created a playlist of all our team members' favorite songs.

Team Member Cookbook

Here is a collection of our team members' go-to healthy recipes for you to create at home.

Virtual Connections

Thanks to technology, we can still have a virtual adventure, connect with others, and immerse ourselves in culture. Here are our top explorations online today.

Galactic's Virtual Backgrounds

We can't deny our wanderlust is strong right now. Use these virtual backgrounds, taken by our team members, as a way to transport you to a magical place.

Insights & Tips

If you need a little motivation to get you through the day, check out these resources full of tips to help you be your happiest you.

According to a Gallup survey, about 43% of US workers already work remotely some or all of the time. The global spread of COVID-19, the novel coronavirus, is affecting our everyday lives thus now more than ever, more people are working from home. The distractions of home, along with the isolation that often comes with remote working, can cause you to lose focus.  Here are some tips to make working from home a success.

Reward Yourself

Find ways to push through each task so that you are focused on meeting deadlines. For example, allow yourself your favorite candy bar or snack for completing a task successfully. One of the best motivations is to end your day on time each day. This can be done if you stay focused and stay productive.

Minimize Distractions

If possible, set up a workspace that is separate from your home space. Creating physical boundaries will make it easier for you to “feel” like you are at work. Try to avoid certain areas of your house like the bedroom, so that you know when you’re in “work mode” and when you are not. Don’t answer the doorbell unless it’s work-related and only answer necessary phone calls. For some people, dressing like they are going to work also helps set the mental tone.

Plan Ahead

Before you even start checking your emails, organize your day, including when to take breaks. Create to-do lists and set goals for the day and the week. Schedule one-on-one meetings with your boss weekly and with other team members at regular times so everyone can stay connected. It’s important to make yourself available even if you aren’t in the office. Also, this is a great time to find out when you're at your most productive so that you can carry out complex tasks during those parts of the day. 

Working from home is a balancing act. You have to learn what works for you and how to manage the challenges that come with it. If you have found yourself working from home during this crazy pandemic we hope these tips will help maintain your productivity.