Usually my day starts early. By 7 am, I’m at my club’s squash courts. After 45 minutes of some high intensity play, I’m ready to take on the day. The days I miss my squash because of some early meetings are the days I feel a bit lethargic and low on energy. On Sunday, it’s golf for me. Again, an early start, around 7 am and four very enjoyable hours with friends. And some exercise, too as I end up walking 7-8 kms. Unfortunately, both activities aren’t an option these days. However, I still need my adrenalin kick in the morning otherwise I will not be productive through the day. So it is now exercise at home. Skipping to start with, then alternate days of lower and upper body gym drills. Not as exciting as my squash and golf mornings but then these are exceptional times.
I am encouraging our entire staff to maintain a regular day’s schedule even when working from home. It is very difficult to maintain the boundaries of work and family when you are at home. And the chances are that we will let our work take over all the time at home. So it's important to be conscious of this and maintain a strict, regular ‘office’ schedule. The other aspect we miss is of socialising. Going out with friends in the evenings is not an option anymore. We are into the lockdown for only a few days and there is at least another week to go, if not more. So, my suggestion to our staff is to try and meet friends virtually. I gave them the example of my drink with my buddies a couple of evenings ago to celebrate a birthday -- on Zoom. We had a gathering of twenty from across India and a couple from Singapore and Paris. It was great fun and everyone is looking forward to a repeat. And in the evening today, I am having a drink with my Leadership Team.
We are all very resilient. The way we have taken to WFH is amazing. However, I do realise that the novelty and excitement of WFH will wear off soon and fatigue may replace it. And this is largely mental fatigue. Physical health is very closely linked to mental health. So, for starters, it is important to get the exercise in. Every day. The second important thing is to split the evening into activities. For me it has been board games or cards with the family, music, reading and then TV. These weeks of isolation is also the time when we can indulge in some passions we didn’t have time for earlier. Be it cooking, learning a new language, an instrument… Not so far, for me. But let’s see how long the lockdown lasts.
Tips to stay fit while being in isolation:
1. If you have been going to the gym and know your routine then just follow it. Replace the apparatus you don’t have with free hand exercises. Skipping is excellent to get some cardio as it doesn’t take any space.
2. For those who are not aware of an exercise regimen, there are a lot of videos on the net you can follow. Be regular and disciplined.
3. Be extra careful of your diet. Boredom and time at home can lead to over-eating. Especially snacking. Resist.
4. Be useful at home. Help with the household chores. Stay active and do your share of work at home.