Caring for Yourself
As we’re all dealing with these circumstances one day at a time, we encourage you to continue with many of the practices you have developed for yourself that allow you to be at your best each day. The well-being of the whole employee is always a priority for us. We also wanted to point you to a few additional resources available at this time, as well as share some recommendations from fellow colleagues.
Employee Well-Being
Employee Well-Being
- Staying Healthy
- Mental Health Resources
- Mindfulness
- Physical Activity
- Staying Connected Socially
- Financial Health
- Recovery Support
- Grief Support
Staying Healthy
Here are some helpful tips on keeping a healthy lifestyle while at home.
- Read Harvard Medical’s School’s advice on how helpful ways to strengthen your immune system and fight disease.
- Check out Harvard’s Environmental Health and Safety office’s telecommuting ergonomic tips.
- Review this guide to Self-Quarantine Meals.
- Try out some new recipes with your family.
Mental Health Resources
For any employees needing support mentally or emotionally, we recommend the below resources:
- Harvard’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers a wide range of services and solutions to the challenges of daily life.
- This Behavioral Health Information and Resources for the Pandemic fact sheet from BCBSMA provides useful tips and tools for accessing resources and support hotlines.
- Harvard’s Center for Wellness provides a variety of guided meditations to help you relax and focus.
- The Anxiety and Depression Association of America has created a resource page to provide helpful tips and strategies for managing anxiety during this difficult period.
- Learn about how employers can help support mental health of their employees at this time.
- Listen to the American Bar Association’s podcast about the well-being of law students and law schools.
Mindfulness
During these times, it is important to take time to address the emotional toll you might be experiencing. Below we’ve highlighted some programs available to the Harvard community.
- Check out the Office of Work/Life for programming around mindfulness.
- Harvard Chan School of Public Health hosts a series of weekly interactive forums.
- All benefits’ eligible Harvard staff are now able to download the Ten Percent Happier App for free, and the Team behind the app is offering a daily chat and free sessions on the app.
- Learn about various ways Harvard is trying to bring normalcy to the the community.
- Staff also recommend: Mindful.org and Headspace.
Physical Activity
Physical activity supports both stress relief and physical health. Below are some ways to help stay active while staying at home.
- Take a virtual class from Harvard’s Recreation Center.
- Check in with your regular fitness provider to see what online options might be available or take this moment to try out something new.
- Learn about the various fitness studios that have shifted to live streaming for free during the outbreak.
- Need a stretching break? KGA now offers “The Daily Break” for stretching and meditation.
- Are you an avid cyclist? Take advantage of Harvard’s bike benefits.
- Staff also recommend, Peloton’s free 90-day trial, and a variety online workouts.
Staying Connected Socially
Keeping connected while practicing social distancing can be difficult. Below are some suggestions for how to be social from a distance.
- Check out Harvard’s Socialize Remotely Calendar for virtual events across the University.
- See how Harvard experts discuss ways to ease the rising sense of isolation and feel more connected.
- Schedule time to share lunch virtually, as a team or with a colleague.
- Discover a new way to watch your favorite shows together.
- Get together for virtual game night.
- Start a virtual book club.
- Watch a movie virtually with Coolidge Corner Theatre
- Go back to snail mail, and send a card.
Financial Health
Below are some resources for financial health and help during these unprecedented times.
- The Harvard University Employee Credit Union is working on several fronts to help provide relief and individualized assistance to impacted persons for COVID-19. See their full list of offerings.
- Additionally, HUECU is also offering workshops for managing personal finance in the wake of the pandemic.
- Recommended by staff, check out this Guide to Financial Resources and Relief for those Affected by COVID-19.
- Protect yourself from identity theft and avoid common scams during the pandemic.
Recovery Support
A number of recovery meetings have been impacted by COVID-19. If this is the case with yours and/or you are looking for online recovery meetings, here are some ways to stay connected.
- AA has a list of online meetings
- NA has a list of online meetings
- Recovery Dharma online meetings
- SMART Recovery online meetings/forums
- Al-Anon & Alateen online meetings
Grief Support
The impact of COVID-19 will affect more than just work, and for anyone experience the loss of a loved one, we hope these below resources are helpful to you:
- Very Well has provided a list of grief and bereavement support groups and organizations that offer nationwide grief support and recovery services, information and other resources to help the bereaved.
- Harvard Business School has an article on Making Your Workplace Safe for Grief that can help you support any colleagues dealing with grief.