How to Combat Loneliness and Stay on Top of Deadlines During Isolation
It took a world-wide pandemic and a police-enforced lockdown. But the impossible has happened. We officially miss working in the library.
Remember the guy with the loud music? The sleeper? The noisy eater? Oh how we miss them now.
Yes, COVID-19 means we’re secluded and struggling to concentrate while working from home.
But life must go on. And, more importantly, uni deadlines must be hit.
To help you out, we’ve put together four top tips to combat loneliness and stay on top of deadlines during isolation. Read on to find out more.
Put Together a Productivity-Boosting Playlist
During these times of isolation, it’s comforting to have some background noise. But, let’s be honest, turning on your favourite Netflix show will lead to one thing… procrastination. Instead, harness the power of music.
According to a study by the University of Miami, classical tracks, nature sounds, and even video game music can lead to an increase in output. If you’d like to give it a try, check out this Bach Study Music Playlist on YouTube. Alternatively, listen to this calming album of 36 Serene Rain Sounds on Spotify.
Organise Online Group Study Sessions
Yes, you’re isolating. No, you don’t have to work alone. Instead, host an online study session with your classmates using Skype or Zoom. Simply, set aside an hour or two each day to work together virtually.
Remember, there should be no chat, gossip, or distractions. Just focussed studying and the odd work-related discussion. This way, not only will you combat loneliness, but you’ll also be hyper productive. It’s a win-win.
Stay Fit, Stay Productive
It’s time to get serious. During isolation, it’s easy to spend all day on the sofa. But don’t. Mental health can deteriorate when you’re inactive. And you’re not going to work at your best if you’re feeling anxious or depressed. Instead, get your heart pumping by taking advantage of the many fitness experts hosting free online classes at the moment.
For an hour of bendy brilliance, try CorePower Yoga’s free live classes. They’re being streamed on YouTube three times a day. Alternatively, for an intense challenge, tune in to boxing experts Rumble who are live streaming daily HIIT-style workouts on their Instagram. They’re around 30 minutes per session and packed with exhausting bodyweight exercises.
Make Time to Play
Finally, loneliness and isolation suck. No-one knows what’s happening. Or what day it is. Or when it’ll all be over. Which means you need to go a bit easier on yourself than normal.
Yes, deadlines are important. Uni work is important. But so is your happiness. So dedicate time every day to simply having fun. An easy way to be both productive and still have “you time” is to create a daily planner. And stick to it. Toggl Plan and Any.do are powerful productivity tools. But a pen and paper can be just as effective.
So there it is. Follow these four easy tips and you’ll undoubtedly feel less lonely AND still hit deadlines. Just remember, staying as mentally healthy as possible is essential to producing good work. Keep well and those essays will write themselves.
