We've all had enough of the COVID-19 talk; it's been 2+ years, and we're ready to say: "Oh my, look at the time. Let me walk you out. Drive safe." And for that final touch and that farewell effect - "Do svidaniya!" - as the Russians would say. So, for most of humanity, things got rough during the pandemic; the anxiety levels began to waltz, and existentialism was suddenly a mundane thing—plenty of pondering, sleepless nights, and questionable tomorrows. Meanwhile, for any human being in recovery, the required effort and the looming shadow of dread multiplied as the pandemic hours went by. A sober routine no more. Your structured world is collapsing. Work + remote = I don't know what to do. How do I stay sober? Where do I find the strength? The pandemic has changed the work game. How do we adapt? This is how to maintain sobriety while working from home; let's save the day.

Playing the sobriety long game

Recovery demands structure. Restructure and structure, to be exact. Then comes perseverance. But, there are things we have no control over, and they can turn our lives upside down, like the pandemic. The initial enthusiasm (whether you're a person in recovery or not) is beautiful, but it has proved to be quite short-lived. The "incarceration" syndrome slowly creeps in. The lines between your personal space and your work become a blur, and unless you're fortunate enough to live a happy, single life, any occupant, whether it be your spouse, your child, or your roommate, becomes a potential anxiety trigger. Without a healthy, sober living environment, any person in recovery struggles with hypothetical relapse. How do we prevent it?

Say yes to a healthy routine

If routine had a scent, we would put it somewhere on the damp, musty spectrum of smells. It's stale; it's old news; it's monotonous. Still, as underwhelming as it may sound, human beings thrive in healthy-controlled environments; we crave routine, it's in our DNA, and we sure can't escape it. It just makes us feel that good. And the structure is one of the most critical components for any individual in recovery, as it takes good care of our mental health. If you're struggling with working from home, try:

• alarm clock: getting up at the same time each morning lays out a structure
• getting dressed: no pj's! whatever you do, don't stay in your sleepwear; putting clothes on gives you a sense of purpose (it doesn't have to be fancy)
• shower and grooming: we need to see that pretty face (and you do, too)
• meals: morning breakfast + lunch = taking care of your physiological needs
• clocking out: try to start and finish your work at the same time each day
• going to bed: try to create a "sleeping hours" pattern that serves your overall routine

I hear you

Every living soul needs interaction, whether they are an extrovert or an introvert - it's what we all have in common - the need to be heard, understood, and connected. People in recovery need it the most. If you're wondering how to maintain sobriety while working from home, the answer is here: stay connected. Working remotely can induce a sense of isolation and social distancing, but there are myriad ways to prevent an onslaught of ruminating episodes. Nobody likes feeling lonesome. So, don't be a stranger. Reach out. Slack away with your co-workers, no matter how trivial and silly your tuna salad talk may be. It will give you a sense of community (and tuna salad is nothing to joke about, it's serious business).

You space

Working from home is delicate, especially if your living space isn't exactly impromptu-office-friendly. Still, we need to make it work somehow. Not everyone has a spare room waiting to be utilized in their home - and that's okay. You can work where you sleep or eat; it's not an issue; you just need to get creative and trick your brain into thinking you're actually in your "office" during your working hours. Try room dividers or other "illusion" designs to help you find a sense of autonomy. As moving experts from zippyshellcolumbus.com told us, many remote workers use storage units to empty a room (basement, shed, attic, basically anything) and make it their designated workspace.

Trigger-proof tactics

Handling work-related stress at your office is difficult, but handling it at home is potentially triggering. Sure, we can endure Zoom meetings and courtesy smiles (and that alone can be exhausting). But facing a potential work crisis without actually being able to physically interact and find a solution as a collective may bring out negative thinking patterns due to isolation. So, prepare a "bandaid kit." Have it ready. Distraction is everything during anxiety-inducing situations:

• take 15 to jump rope
• make a Michelin star snack (it's all about distraction)
• paint your toenails
• do blitz karaoke, scream to your favorite tune
• have a dance-like-nobody's-watching session
• put your anxiety into written words
• do a croquis of your feelings
• take an angry walk around the block
• call a trusted friend
• do yoga
• meditate
• watch self-help videos

Or simply- get a dog. The benefits of getting a pet during recovery are astonishing, whether it be a dog, cat, raccoon, kangaroo, or goldfish.

Check-in hour

Your sobriety relies solely on your ability to understand your inner processes and feelings. Learning and recognizing your triggers will prevent any potential relapse. Implementing (and sticking to it!) a healthy plan to fight off any hypothetical sobriety dangers is crucial. Look out for warning signs such as self-sabotage, negative self-image, wanting to escape from situations and feelings, old thought patterns, craving situations where substances are available, and reduced rational thinking.

It's not easy, but

A lot of people ask us how to maintain sobriety while working from home, and the truth is - it's not that easy. It starts with self-compassion and turning your worst enemy into your best ally. Avoid self-judgment, learn to be gentle and supportive to your inner self, and the rest will follow.