The Academy of Leadership Development (ALD) recently held a webinar that addressed the many concerns that one might have regarding the current situation. Divided into six segments, the webinar focused on the physical, mental and social well-being aspects of social distancing.

The first segment dealt with how to recognize the warning signs of anxiety – what might be the beginning of a ‘worry chain’, and how our minds deal with possibilities and probabilities that may or may not arise from this health crisis. The presentation also points out the different physical symptoms of anxiety – inexplicable aches and pains, mood swings, disturbed sleep patterns, exhaustion, difficulty in concentrating, etc., and provides a blueprint on how to retain a healthy sense of perspective.

The next segment is crucial to everyone who’s adapting – or trying to adapt – to working from home. It lays out a series of ways in which we can adapt to new working conditions, from developing a morning routine and dressing professionally to building a permanent work space and setting real work hours.

This segment includes tips on balancing the demands of working in a more chaotic environment – staying off social media, taking short breaks, using a planner, and using video chats to stay in touch. The steps mentioned can effectively help increase productivity during this period.

It is also important to prioritize our physical and emotional well-being, so one of the segment’s offered ideas on how to do just that – making sure that one has a heavy breakfast is one of them. So is ensuring that one gets up and walks around every 15 minutes or so, setting a flexible work schedule, etc.

Mental health is equally important and the webinar laid emphasis on how we can achieve equilibrium. Tips include meditation, unplugging from negative news, reducing screen time, focusing on gratitude, and staying properly hydrated.

That food can influence your mood is well-known. Solutions to manage your food include eating high protein foods and good fats, increasing protein and colourful vegetables, and cutting down on caffeine. The segment on D-O-S-E chemicals – Dopamine, Oxytocin, Serotonin and Endorphin – and how they help manage our moods was an eye-opener.

The closing segment dealt with how to manage the people around you – other adults, elders with underlying health conditions, children, and those in quarantine. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, there was a reminder to seek help if dealing with psychological issues.