You clock in and clock out of your job each day, spending 40 hours or more per week with people from all walks of life. While some would caution against being besties with your coworkers, others believe making friends at work can lead to increased productivity, job satisfaction, and performance.
From professional development to personal growth, stress management to extracurricular activities, our coworkers can be there for us in more ways than one. At times, they can even stand in for loved ones.
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When work stress hits, coworkers and colleagues can help you through these challenges in real time. Stress levels, for instance, can be exacerbated by the uncertainty caused by a crisis, like the current coronavirus pandemic. While grateful for sustained employment, we may turn to our workplace relationships for the on-demand support and fortitude we need to navigate these extraordinary circumstances. Here are some benefits of building and maintaining strong bonds with your coworkers and the ways in which your colleagues may be better than your friends.
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Regardless of your relationship status, there are benefits to having a platonic work spouse. “Most of us are spending much more time at work than we are with our [outside] friends and family,” says a registered psychologist. Work spouses can infuse healthy banter, lighthearted conversation, and a bit of fun into your day, and when it comes to managing job stress, having someone you trust in your corner can help get you through the ups and downs of the daily grind.
Prioritizing your mental well-being in the workplace can impact your job satisfaction, career development, and overall happiness, so building a morale-boosting support system at work is crucial.
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“Connecting with people boosts our mood and our morale, and friendships provide us with the emotional and psychological strength to deal with whatever comes our way — whether an exciting opportunity, a challenge or a crisis,” says Annie McKee, author of How to Be Happy at Work: The Power of Purpose, Hope, and Friendship. A good way to check in with your coworkers is by scheduling a weekly Zoom call during your coffee break.
Some find that working from home comes with privileges like better work-life balance and increased productivity. For others, however, especially those who suffer from mental illness, remote working conditions can lead to isolation. If you know a colleague who is struggling with feelings of isolation, invite them on a virtual coffee date or send them an ecard letting them know you’re here to listen. If their behaviour becomes more erratic and you become concerned about their safety, don’t hesitate to reach out to HR.
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How to adjust your budget for the crisis
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected every facet of our lives, from work and childcare to grocery shopping and eating out. If you’re among the many people who has suffered financial hardship or job loss in recent months, here are some ways to help adjust your costs and reduce spending for the time being.
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Do you keep track of your monthly expenses and income using some sort of budget tool? If you don’t, now is the time to begin. A simple Excel template is an easy and free way to manage your household budget and, thankfully, it does all the math for you. Just plug in your income and expenses and allocate as appropriate.
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Use that spreadsheet to calculate your total current income and add up all your expenses, then subtract the one from the other and see if you get a positive number. If so, you can put away any extra into savings or discretionary spending. If not, that number is how much you need to cut from your expenses.
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Monthly expenses like rent and bills are always first to come to mind, but don’t get blindsided by the occasional ones like property taxes, dental cleanings (if not covered by insurance), clothing purchases, and subscriptions to software or magazines. Keep a monthly line item called “other” in your budget and figure out how much per month you need to allocate.
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It’s no fun, but if you don’t have enough to cover things like food and utilities, you have to cut the other stuff first. This will be different for everyone—maybe it’s the fancy coffee, the takeout food, new makeup, or a streaming service. (Don’t worry, we have suggestions for how to stay entertained later.)
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It can make a big difference to your monthly energy bills if you remember to turn off the lights when you leave a room, turn down the heat or the AC, switch off electronics, take shorter showers, do fewer and larger loads of laundry, and hang clothes instead of using the dryer.
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There are many ways to spend less on groceries without eating ramen every night. Shop at the discount grocery store, if you don’t already. Buy in-season vegetables. Shop the flyer and plan meals around what’s on sale. Stock up (within reason) when you see a deal, and eat vegetarian a few times a week to save on meat.
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If you’re not driving as much, you may be eligible for a rebate on your car insurance. See if your landlord will offer you rent relief. Speak to your bank about deferring mortgage payments if you need to. (Keep in mind there may be penalties or fees later on, but if it means keeping your house, it could be worth it.)
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Got student loans? Car payments? Credit card debt? Speak to a financial adviser or credit counsellor to find out if a consolidation loan might be a good solution for you. One single payment can be easier to manage than three separate ones, all with interest accruing every month.
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Governments in Canadaand the United States are offering some emergency financial assistance to people whose livelihoods have been negatively affected by the pandemic. Don’t leave money on the table—if you qualify, make sure you apply for that assistance, and don’t give up if it takes a little time to get done.
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Around the world, governments are taking measures to provide tax relief to individuals struggling with the effects of the pandemic. So if you owe money, you might be able to hang onto it for a while longer, to use as an emergency fund. Check with…
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So you cancelled your streaming service and stopped going to the movies or buying books. What now? Don’t despair: Most public libraries have tons of e-books you can read for free, and many now offer access to streaming services like Kanopy. YouTube is full of great free content. You can play tons of board games online, too.
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YouTube has a squillion workout videos, whether you like yoga, cardio dance, weightlifting, kettlebells or Pilates. But as long as you have a flat space, you can work out on your own—no internet needed. Use heavy cans or your own body for weights; dance along to the radio; snag your kid’s jump rope; or go for a daily brisk walk or jog.
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If you’re working from home or not working, this will be easy, but even if you’re still commuting, you can drive less often (and more efficiently). Hop on your bike, if you have one, or figure out what’s within walking distance of your home and get some exercise too. If you do need to drive, run multiple errands on the same trip.
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Obviously it’s great to support local restaurants, but if your budget’s really tight, cooking for yourself is a lot cheaper. Meal planning helps you save on groceries and cut food waste. Try learning to cook one of your favourite takeout dishes yourself—it’s super satisfying and you might even like your version better.
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Got a bunch of useful but unnecessary stuff taking up space in your place? Get on your local for-sale site and list that bike you never ride, the gaming console your kids don’t play anymore, or the old-but-serviceable furniture in the garage. You’ll be much happier with the cash, and others will get needed items for less than new.
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If you really need something but it simply won’t fit in your budget right now, try locating it through a barter or swap group like Buy Nothing. Do you grow or make anything? Consider bartering some of those items for things you lack. Trade your excess garden tomatoes for a jar or two of your neighbour’s honey or a plastic wading pool!
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If something breaks around the house, try to fix it before you toss it. YouTube is a fantastic resource for this. You’ll feel like a rock star after you fix the busted washing machine with a zip tie. And ripped or worn clothing can often be mended or the items upcycled (a dress into a T-shirt, for example).
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You may be sitting on a nest egg of some sort, but keep in mind we don’t know how long this pandemic or the ensuing recession are going to last. So don’t burn through all your savings right away—tighten up the budget and save the savings for true emergencies, like a roof leak or a dead car battery.
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When you do need to buy something (especially online), always do a search for coupons or discount codes for that brand before clicking “Buy now.” There are many legitimate sites that aggregate these deals, but the retailer also often lists current codes on its website. Oh, and sign up for a cash-back service if you shop online frequently.
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If you upgraded your internet to watch more TV, but now you’ve cancelled your streaming service, you may be able to downgrade and save some cash. Also, call your cell phone provider and see if you can get a better deal—especially if you’re not using enough data to justify the plan you have.
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