Change is inevitable. But as the global COVID-19 pandemic has impacted us in very real ways, we’ve faced significant change within our personal and professional lives. We compiled a few ideas to help us manage through it, and – dare we say it – experience healthy growth as a result.

1. Self-reflect. Introspection is spending intentional time examining your own thoughts and emotions. It can help you grow your understanding of who you are, who you’d like to be, why you made certain decisions, or why you feel specific emotions. Self-reflection enables you to move from just experiencing to understanding during times of change.

2. Connect with others. Human connection is vital to our overall wellbeing. We’re wired to regularly hold fulfilling interactions and conversations with others. Feeling connected can also reinforce a support system, motivate you, and reduce stress. This can be as simple as reaching out for a regular “pulse check” with your friends or teammates, even if it’s from a distance through video chat.

3. Ease up. You may feel a little out of control or overwhelmed when things change. You may feel like you are not living up to your expectations or that your mind is moving too fast to keep up. Ease up on yourself. We once read a great tip to use when things feel like they’re spiraling out of control – it’s to return to the present. Wherever you are, take a moment to identify a few tangible things around you and recognize that in the present moment, you’re breathing and you’re in control. A small step to feeling better.

4. Focus on positive outcomes. Change presents us with the opportunity to grow, so it’s important to acknowledge the things that have improved around us. Write down a few ways this season of change has impacted you for the better. You may surprise yourself with how many you can list!

5. Stay optimistic. Ultimately, it’s important to see the future through a lens of optimism. We couldn’t have said it better than Simon Sinek: “Optimism is different than positive – and it’s definitely not naive. Optimism is the belief that the future is positive, that there’s a light at the end of the tunnel and we’re heading there, together.”

With more people working remotely from home than ever before, we’re all finding ways to navigate this “new normal” and remain committed to our work. Here are a few tips we’ve picked up:

1. Establish Your Space: If you don’t have a dedicated workspace, your entire house will end up becoming your office. Take time to create a clean and organized area for work, even if it’s at the dining room table. Setting a few boundaries with family can minimize distractions when you’re in your spot. If not, invest in some noise-cancelling headphones.
2. Set Your Hours. By now you’re probably starting to see patterns in your productivity. While you should always be available for workday meetings, a flexible schedule may help you maintain your momentum. Create a (manager-approved) schedule that works for you, then stick with it!
3. Keep Connecting. Talk to someone every day, but not just about work. Regular communication among team members is necessary to keep projects moving forward. However, ensuring that your coworkers feel engaged is just as important. To create an even better connection, share your video – and your smile!
4. Prioritize… Then Unplug. Many managers fear their employees will slack off without oversight. In fact, remote workers tend to have a really hard time disconnecting. Challenge yourself with small goals each day to maintain productivity. Just be sure to take your time off seriously too, or you’ll risk burnout.
5. Take Care of You. Most people aren’t productive in their pajamas. Take time to shower and put on clean “work clothes” (a slouchy tee is fine) before opening your laptop. Eat healthy meals, drink plenty of water, replace your commute with an afternoon walk, and get plenty of sleep. When you feel your best, it’s much easier to maintain a positive perspective.