By Miku Lenentine
Edited By Megan Caros
With all of this Zooming and our other digital interactions because of the pandemic, how does one stay nourished, replenished and inspired? In this 3 part article series we will examine each of the We-Fields and discuss tips and tactics for navigating these Zoom calls and Web Meetings so many of us find ourselves in.
How is it possible to stay in connection with the WE-Space of Myself, Others and All Beings? Especially when we are sometimes in 5 hours of back to back meetings in a single day?
Well, I am here to assert it is possible (with variations to account for each unique person’s constitutions)! Here are some tried, tested and true quick tips for Zooming from the We-Space (which is a space of honoring yourself and others fully!).
Zoom with the WE-Space of Myself
The first key to Zooming (or using screen time for social interactions or work) with the WE of Myself, is to make sure you have excellent self-care practices set up (ideally ahead of time). It is very easy to hyperfocus and not pay attention to your bodily, emotional, and energetic needs. How many times have you thought, oh, I really need to leave to use the bathroom while on a call? or even while working? and you ignore it? Or thought, wow, I am really thirsty! Or Zoomed all day only to discover you haven’t eaten anything. What do you wear when you zoom? Do you feel like your inspired best self while Zooming or (online working?). If so, great! You can stop here. Otherwise here are a few tips.
1) Try using a standing desk & building in stretching breaks
If you haven’t invested in a simple standing desk set up, now is a great time to get creative and see what you can come up with. If you set a timer at your desk (perhaps even in your browser!) you might try work sessions interspersed with stretching sessions. Another helpful tip is to set a reminder for walking away from your desk. Make sure you look away from the screen every down and then in some regular interval. Eye yoga is another practice that might help support eye strain from constant zooming and screen time: https://yogainternational.com/article/view/4-yoga-exercises-for-eye-strain
(We use this rocker board for our standing desk to create a cushion for the feet and increase balance, and because it is fun!)
2) Dress to Impress
Dress to impress who? Who yourself! Do what you need to do to dress up for your work, so you can create a clear line between being “on” and being “off”. So, when you are all done with your workday, change out of your “uniform” or work clothing and back into something casual. Show up for yourself. It’s not for others. Dress up for yourself, in a way that feels you with a sense of accomplishment and pride at simply showing up. (Link to Wallstreet Journal Article on this for more info HERE)
3) Create an Inspiring Workplace
Find a way to make your workspace environment inspiring and supporting. Try decorating it with pictures, or images that help you stay buoyant in dark times, or help you access humor (even if it is gallows humor). You might consider getting a sunlight therapy lamp to help brighten up your space. Bring in plants! And even consider trying aromatherapy. Fresh peppermint and bergamot create an atmosphere that is energizing.
For more specific ideas see this article here: https://www.themuse.com/advice/7-triedandtrue-secrets-for-a-productive-home-office
If you are zooming for a meditation, or yoga, or mindfulness type class, you might consider dedicating a corner of your home as a zoom space, and build almost an altar-like the atmosphere around the space for the computer. Try to design it in a way that take minimal effort to set up, and that feels…well, somehow special! (See the top photo for inspiration and design ideas!).
4) Listen to Music (and invite colleagues to build in team breaks & music into Zoom or Web Meetings)
Cue up your workday music playlists in advance! Explore different themes for different tasks and possibly create a day of the week playlist. This helps break up the week, and keep things interesting. You might even invite colleague to play music during breaks, or share music in between meetings to help encourage breaks from the “hyperfocus” and fatigue that can creep in during back to back meetings.
5) Turn Off The Camera Whenever You Feel Like It
Digital connection can be quite lovely if you can make yourself feel more at home. Give it a try! Find ways to be yourself, to stretch, to make yourself food, to close your eyes and lay on your back for a minute, whatever you like. Or maybe even dance! By simply turning off the camera, you’re signaling to other participants that you’re taking care of yourself and politely disabling your visuals so that you don’t distract others.
6) Find your New Natural by Prepping Some Conversation Pieces
It’s important to feel natural when we’re relating with others, whether in person or through a webcam. We’ve grown so accustomed to sharing the same environment with others that we can take for granted how natural that feels. Why not try sharing your new natural with others? Some ways to do this might be to put a poster up behind you that shows off something about yourself that others might not know about you. Or you could make a wonderful food dish and leave it in front of the camera (if it’s a food-inclusive meeting). Or maybe the ceramic jar that you keep your pens in has a cool story and you want to put your ceramic pen-holder front and center. Others will be looking for anything special to ask questions about, because they really want to feel natural too and making connections is a quick way to do that. So if others are looking for things to connect about, why not make it easy for them by prepping some conversation pieces.
Do you have any other ideas? We would love to hear from you, and hear if you have tried any of these in your life. Write to us at ino@thewayofvibrantly.org or message us below!