Have you noticed a significant dip in your productivity during social distancing? Many of us had our lives disrupted when the social-distancing rules went into effect. If you find that you get far less done, even with far more time, you’re not alone. It’s completely normal to be struggling right now with maintaining a schedule or accomplishing what you used to be able to accomplish.

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A study done in mid-march by the American Psychiatric Association found that as many as 25% of survey respondents reported a newfound inability to focus on tasks during social-isolation.  Thirty-three percent of test subjects worried that coronavirus and social distance was negatively impacting their mental health. If any of this sounds familiar, you are definitely not alone!

FitClub has tips to help you begin to function at a higher level during and after this pandemic.

1. Make your health a priority. The more news we take in about the pandemic, the more we might be worried about our own physical health. Starting your day with a high-quality FitClub workout on the app can help you release the stress you’re holding while also reassuring yourself that you are protecting your physical health. Instead of saving your workout for later in the day when all of your other tasks are done, why not start your day by ensuring that your healthy goals have been accomplished?
   
   As a side bonus during these difficult times, exercise can improve your cognitive ability.  The University of Illinois found that even twenty minutes of exercise led to improved attention spans and increased comprehension. Can you afford twenty minutes of quality exercise for easier, more productive and healthier days?
   
   


2. Set a timer. In a world where we are suddenly working from home and homeschooling children, we might simply be expecting too much from ourselves. Does all of the extra time cause you too much time on any one task? Setting an alarm reminding you to switch tasks may help you accomplish more in less time. Having too much time to accomplish a goal can actually hold you back. The next time you decide to accomplish a chore or respond to emails, try setting a timer that will remind you that you’ve done enough for one day and prepare you to move on to the next task.

1. Learn to meditate. Even short seated meditations can have a dramatic impact on your mental health and productivity. Check the FitClub app for meditation sessions and set aside ten to twenty minutes to sit quietly with yourself each day or several times each week. A study done by the University of California at Santa Barbara found that meditation had profound and immediate measurable benefits in restoring memory, attention span and productivity to graduate students. There’s never been a better time to learn to prioritize your mental health and meditation can help.

How are you holding up during social distancing? Are you thriving or struggling to find a productive window in a long day?  Let FitClub know in the comments!