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Microsoft - 10 tips to use tech to manage your well-being - xSicKxBot - 06-03-2020
10 tips to use tech to manage your well-being
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<h2 class="c-heading-3">10 tips to use technology to manage your well-being</h2>
<p class="c-paragraph-2">Have you heard the saying, “We’re all in the same storm, but we’re in different boats?” People are experiencing a variety of challenges right now, trying to work, learn, and connect with others. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and we wanted to share some best practices and technology-related tips to help reduce stress and anxiety.</p>
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<h2 class="c-heading-4">1. Keep a schedule.</h2>
<p class="c-paragraph-3"> Having a set schedule during the week can be a comfort, giving your days structure, balance, and purpose. Use a basic <a class="c-hyperlink" target="_blank" aria-label="Learn more about daily schedule templates" href="https://templates.office.com/en-us/daily-schedule-tm10000103" rel="noopener noreferrer">schedule template</a>, <a class="c-hyperlink" target="_blank" aria-label="Learn more about Outlook email" href="https://www.outlook.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Outlook</a>, or the <a class="c-hyperlink" target="_blank" href="https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/microsoft-to-do-list-app" rel="noopener noreferrer">Microsoft To-Do app</a>(it syncs with Outlook) to plan your day and include self-care. Here are some things to consider including in your schedule:</p>
<ul class="c-list">
<li> <strong> Shower and get dressed.</strong> This simple ritual can help kick-start your day. </li>
<li> <strong>Focus time.</strong> This is time when you’re not on conference calls and you can get your work done. </li>
<li> <strong>Daily movement.</strong> It could be an intense workout, stretching, or just a relaxing walk—listen to your body to see what it needs that day. </li>
<li> <strong>Social time.</strong> Time to catch up with friends and family over video calls. </li>
<li> <strong>“Me time.”</strong> Maybe it’s your morning coffee, or a soak in the tub at the end of the day, but make sure you carve out some time just for yourself. </li>
<li> <strong>Non-screen time</strong> to read a book, play a game, do a puzzle, enjoy your hobby, and more. </li>
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<p class="c-paragraph-3"> Mental health is a family practice. Get your kids involved in creating a <a class="c-hyperlink" target="_blank" aria-label="Learn more about sharing family calendars with Outlook" href="https://support.office.com/en-us/article/use-shared-family-calendars-in-outlook-com-7d21512a-eac5-4597-816b-6bf5ff8554ed?ui=en-us&rs=en-us&ad=us" rel="noopener noreferrer">shared family schedule in Outlook</a> so they have a sense of ownership and control. Help your children find the right kind of self-care to learn best practices for a lifetime.</p>
<h2 class="c-heading-4">2. Check in on how people are doing.</h2>
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<p class="c-paragraph-3"> Not every poll needs to be about people’s emotions. To add some fun, try creating polls on music, food, TV shows, or whatever you want.</p>
<p class="c-paragraph-3"> <strong>Check in on yourself, too.</strong> Stress less, move more, and sleep more soundly with meditations, exercises, and tips available in the Headspace app. And if you have a Microsoft 365 Family or Personal subscription (formerly Office 365), you can get one month free. <a class="c-hyperlink" target="_blank" aria-label="Learn more about our partner benefits with Microsoft 365" href="https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/partner-benefits?wa=wsignin1.0" rel="noopener noreferrer">Learn more about the offer.</a></p>
<h2 class="c-heading-4">3. Keep kids on track.</h2>
<p class="c-paragraph-3"> Use <a class="c-hyperlink" target="_blank" aria-label="Learn more about the Family Safety app" href="https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/family-safety" rel="noopener noreferrer">Family Safety app preview</a> or <a class="c-hyperlink" target="_blank" aria-label="Learn more about the account settings for the Family Safety app" href="https://account.microsoft.com/family/about?ru=https:%2F%2Faccount.microsoft.com%2Ffamily" rel="noopener noreferrer">website</a> to help make sure your kids are finding balance, too. Set screen-time limits for specific apps, sites, and games, make sure they’re viewing sites appropriate for their age, and review Family Safety reports to see how much time they’re really spending on their devices.</p>
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<h2 class="c-heading-4">4. Get things done.</h2>
<p class="c-paragraph-3"> There’s something to be said about checking things off your to-do list, like cleaning out the basement or garage, finally dialing in the backyard or deck space (or your indoor plants), <a class="c-hyperlink" target="_self" aria-label="Learn more about digitizing family photos" href="https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/remote-resource-center/save-and-share-family-photos" rel="noopener noreferrer">digitizing the family photos</a>, or any other projects that have been on the back burner. Joy can come from accomplishing things. The <a class="c-hyperlink" target="_blank" aria-label="Learn more about the Microsoft To-Do list application" href="https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/microsoft-to-do-list-app" rel="noopener noreferrer">Microsoft To-Do app</a> is free and is perfect for keeping track, plus it syncs with Outlook so you can easily track to-dos for work and home.</p>
<h2 class="c-heading-4">5. Connect with friends and family . . . remotely.</h2>
<p class="c-paragraph-3"> If you’re feeling isolated, get some fun <a class="c-hyperlink" target="_blank" aria-label="Learn more about Skype video calling" href="https://www.skype.com/en/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Skype video</a> calls on your calendar like a happy hour with friends or a family call over the weekend.For more ideas, read about <a class="c-hyperlink" target="_self" aria-label="Learn more about creative ways to connect while social distancing" href="https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/remote-resource-center/creative-ways-to-connect-and-social-distancing-activities" rel="noopener noreferrer">creative ways to connect.</a></p>
<h2 class="c-heading-4">6. Learn something new.</h2>
<p class="c-paragraph-3"> If you don’t already have a hobby or pastime to pursue, now’s a great time to try something new that’s piqued your interest. Not sure what you want to try? Here are some places to start:</p>
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<h2 class="c-heading-4">7. If the future seems uncertain, plan it out.</h2>
<p class="c-paragraph-3"> When things are very much up in the air, it can be comforting to write out your thoughts or even a plan for the future. Instead of letting your mind spin, open <a class="c-hyperlink" target="_blank" aria-label="Learn more about Word Online" href="https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/free-office-online-for-the-web" rel="noopener noreferrer">Word for the web</a> or <a class="c-hyperlink" target="_blank" aria-label="Learn more about taking notes with OneNote" href="https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/onenote/digital-note-taking-app?rtc=1" rel="noopener noreferrer">OneNote</a> and type up some mitigation plans for whatever you’re worrying about. Use broad strokes here—no one can predict the future, so there’s no need to describe every detail or option. Rest easier knowing that you have a plan you can refer to later, if needed.</p>
<p class="c-paragraph-3"> Try to write 3 things that you are grateful for every day. These journaling templates can help you get your thoughts down:</p>
<h2 class="c-heading-4">8. Keep presentation anxiety at bay.</h2>
<p class="c-paragraph-3"> You may find yourself steeped in new methods of working from home and having to adapt quickly to technologies. Help reduce any remote presentation and online jitters with <a class="c-hyperlink" target="_blank" aria-label="Learn more about the PowerPoint Presenter Coach tool" href="https://support.office.com/en-us/article/Rehearse-your-slide-show-with-Presenter-Coach-cd7fc941-5c3b-498c-a225-83ef3f64f07b" rel="noopener noreferrer">Presenter Coach and PowerPoint</a>. Get in the habit of taking practice runs through your slides and Presenter Coach will give you a report and suggestions for improvements on things like packing, pitch, filler words, euphemisms, and culturally sensitive terms.</p>
<h2 class="c-heading-4">9. When you’re done working, be done.</h2>
<p class="c-paragraph-3"> It can be so tempting to check that email one more time in the evening or over the weekend, just to make sure you’ve taken care of everything and no one is left hanging until tomorrow. Instead, <a class="c-hyperlink" target="_blank" aria-label="Learn more about setting up automatic replies in Outlook" href="https://support.office.com/en-us/article/video-set-up-an-automatic-reply-cc0e480f-973e-4412-a27b-8a52108d6d51" rel="noopener noreferrer">set up an automatic reply in Outlook</a> to let your coworkers know you’re done for the day and will get back to them later. That way, people know what to expect, and you can relax knowing that you’ve set expectations. </p>
<p class="c-paragraph-3"> Want a way to track how successful you are at unplugging? Use My Analytics Wellbeing to keep track of the days you disconnect after work. <a class="c-hyperlink" target="_blank" aria-label="Learn more about Microsoft 365 Personal Analytics" href="https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/business/myanalytics-personal-analytics" rel="noopener noreferrer">My Analytics</a> provides several useful statistics about your work habits that can help you with well-being, focus, network, and collaboration.</p>
<h2 class="c-heading-4">10. Disconnect and recharge.</h2>
<p class="c-paragraph-3"> With so many online meetings, happy hours, calls with friends, and binge watching, screen fatigue is a real thing. Put down the devices every day for a while. Doing this at night is a great way to wind down before bed. Here are some ideas on what to do instead:</p>
<ul class="c-list">
<li> Read a book or printed magazine </li>
<li> Work on a project </li>
<li> Sit outside (deck, yard) and enjoy the birds, plants, sky, trees </li>
<li> <a class="c-hyperlink" target="_blank" aria-label="Learn more about healthy recipes" href="https://www.bing.com/search?q=healthy%20dinner%20recipes&form=MK12IY&OCID=MK12IY" rel="noopener noreferrer">Cook a healthy meal</a> </li>
<li> <a class="c-hyperlink" target="_blank" aria-label="Learn more about feel good music" href="https://www.bing.com/search?q=feel%20good%20songs&form=MK12IZ&OCID=MK12IZ" rel="noopener noreferrer">Listen to music</a>—really listen, with no other distractions </li>
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<h2 class="c-heading-4">Get more well-being tips</h2>
<p class="c-paragraph-3"> See recommendations on how Microsoft technology can support you in daily activities. <a class="c-hyperlink" target="_blank" aria-label="Learn more about Microsoft technology support" href="https://sway.office.com/EhGX3VIPx1fB6W5P?ref=Link" rel="noopener noreferrer">Learn more</a></p>
<p class="c-paragraph-3"> These tips are a starting point for using tech to help bring some calm during these times. If you or a loved one is in crisis, <a class="c-hyperlink" target="_blank" aria-label="Learn more about the national suicide prevention hotline" href="https://www.bing.com/search?q=national%20suicide%20prevention%20hotline&form=MK12J0&OCID=MK12J0" rel="noopener noreferrer">there’s help available now.</a></p>
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https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/2020/05/28/10-tips-to-use-tech-to-manage-your-well-being/