Stir Crazy, a Social Dilemma - Notes for Managers on What You Can Do To Help Your Employees
The last 326 days, to say the very least, have been more of a challenge than I expected. The other day I was sitting in the living room with my husband and I started talking about all the anxiety I was currently feeling and how at times, it feels all-consuming. I told him how I start to feel restless, agitated, and light-headed all at the same time. Then my husband turned to me and said, “You’re stir crazy. You’re a social person and you've been cooped up for a year. Of course that’s how you feel.”
I had never thought about it, but the more I thought about it the more it made sense. He was right. The walls were closing in and I felt trapped. I thought, "This must be what people are talking about when it comes to the mental toll of the last year.” A lot of people are experiencing these feelings and, in that moment I realized, so am I.
“ You’re stir crazy, you’re a social person and you’ve been cooped up for a year.”
Parts of the country may be open, and sure, some local activities can be done safely outside and socially distant, but everything now requires that extra layer of thinking. Did I sanitize my hands after touching the door? Did I just walk behind someone who coughed? I feel faint, is that a symptom? Who knows?!
For me, the potential to have to answer these questions is enough to keep me home and away from social interactions. While I’m sure we all have experienced some version of Zoom happy hour, I’ve found that, while it is nice to catch up with friends, it's certainly not a substitute for the social interactions I now realize I long for.
Listen up Organizations and Businesses - Top 4 Things You Can Do
Connect with your team by phone or virtually through apps like Zoom and Microsoft Teams. Really connect - about non-work things and mundane things - break room things.
Take advantage of outdoor team activities while maintaining social distancing and wearing a mask especially now that we have had a few beautiful days of weather. Even meeting for a walk is enough to conjure up the endorphins.
Host a social distant company lunch and order food for the team. This is truly a priority. Your team needs to see each other.
Create a safe place for team members to talk about their feelings - encourage them by asking questions.
For now, I’ll continue to bury my head in books, think of new recipes to cook, and ramp up my self-care. While I am a social person who thoroughly enjoys entertaining with friends, going out to discover new restaurants, and the freedom to travel and be spontaneous, today I will be a patient person. Those days will soon return and I really can’t wait until they do.
