Wellness Wednesday Tips: Focus & Parenting

The last few weeks have taken a toll on just about all of us. During such high times of stress, it may be hard to be present and focus on certain tasks. While thousands of our workforce are on the front-lines, there are thousands working from home. Some of our colleagues are trying to teach grade school curriculum, keep up with work demands and a variety of other duties. Here are a few tips to help regain focus, followed by helpful parenting resources.

• Set Aside Working Hours. It can be a challenge to dive into a project for hours while homeschooling or participating in toddler fun. Be sure to set aside pockets of time to work and set expectations throughout the day. Click here for the ultimate work from home while parenting meme.
  

• Take a few deep breaths. Before you login to your computer, take a few deep breaths to release any anxieties you may have.

• Focus on one task at a time. There is a lot going on right now and you may feel like you need to do ten things at one time. For your sanity, do one task at a time. (Teaching math and responding to emails don’t mix well.) If you have 20 minutes, use that time to zero in on one task and try to complete as much as you can.

• Prioritize What’s Important. There will be some tasks you just won’t get to right now. That doesn’t mean you aren’t meeting expectations or dropping the ball. We are all dealing with a global pandemic and priority projects come first.

• Practice J.O.Y. Just take a moment. Observe the lights. You make a difference. To learn more click here.

Zero to Thrive Program and Parent Guide

Zero to Thrive program has several resources to help parents, children, perinatal women and professionals during COVID-19.

Dr. Prachi Shah and Dr. Kate Rosenblum contributed to this helpful guide for parents. The guide includes tips for navigating feelings, practicing the 3 R’s and staying emotionally connected.

Parents’ Guide to Coping with the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Crisis

Free Webinar for Parents

The Unified Mental Health Group is hosting a free webinar this week for Michigan Medicine faculty and staff. Please click here to learn more.

Parenting through the Pandemic: Strategies for the Homefront for Staff and Faculty on the Frontline
Friday 4/24/2020 | 4:30pm-5:30pm
https://primetime.bluejeans.com/a2m/live-event/xsaezpds

If you have a tip, let us know by emailing headlines@med.umich.edu! 

Thank you for all that you do — and for protecting your health and the health of everyone around you at Michigan Medicine.