During these uncertain times we are all experiencing the struggles of social distancing and isolation. This can take a tremendous toll on everyone, including yacht crew members, and those working in the hospitality industry.
At wilsonhalligan, we understand the importance of our mental and physical health and wanted to share our top tips on coping with isolation.
Needless to say, we are not medical professionals: simply ex-yacht crew currently working in an office based, recruitment environment. We are not offering formal medical opinions, merely our personal take on how we, as a team, are surviving the pandemic. We hope this can offer some support to the fantastic, resilient crews and clients we work with. You are not in this alone, remember that!
How Yacht Crew Members Can Cope with Isolation
Taking one day at a time seems to be the best approach. This is how we are tackling the current social distancing and isolation measures. Taking each day is it comes and following safety guidelines will help limit the spread of the COVID-19 and minimise its impact on the most vulnerable in society.
While working from home we have been thinking of ways to keep our sanity intact. One great way to boost your morale is by achieving three small things outside of work. Give it a try, you’ll be surprised by how much better you will feel!
Step One – Something Productive
Feeling like you’ve achieved something outside of work each day can really make a difference and boost your mood.
This could be a small daily task, or something that lasts the week. Achieving a certain amount each day will have an astonishingly positive impact on your mindset.
These productive tasks can be anything! Perhaps clearing out your wardrobe and creating a pile for charity? Downloading your travel photos and sort them into folders? Or maybe you have a bunch of life admin you’ve been putting off? Now is the time to do it! Always wanted to learn a second language? Download the app and get started... The possibilities are endless!
Most importantly, make sure you reward yourself for achieving your ‘Something Productive’ by doing something for yourself.
Step Two – Something for You
Your mental and physical health is paramount during this difficult time, doing something for yourself every day can really improve how you feel.
As a yacht crew member, it may feel lonely being away from home. Be sure to do something that brings you joy! If you’re into your fitness, make sure you work out. Want to clear your mind? Try practising yoga or meditation. Listen to your favourite album, audio book or podcast? Read a book or watch a movie you’ve been hoping to see for a while? Passionate about baking or cooking? Why not see if you can get in the galley and bake something for the crew! Paint your nails or do a facemask and really try to relax.
Step Three – Something for Someone Else
A little kindness goes a long way, our mood is boosted dramatically by doing something nice for someone else, so add that to your daily list.
You are not in this alone, although we might be on the other side of the world from our loved ones, in quarantine on board a yacht, several others in your network are experiencing this too and are easy to reach out to.
Think about others: why not make a quick facetime call to a relative who lives on their own and might need cheering up, or one of your old crew members stuck in isolation on the other side of the world?
Pull one of your crew in for a chat to check in on them. Make a cup of tea for someone. Prep a movie night or a themed dinner with the galley. Host a workout session. It might not feel like a big place to be isolated, but there’s lots we can do onboard.
How Do You and Your Yacht Crew Cope with Isolation?
We’d love to hear from you, what are you and the rest of your yacht crew doing during the current pandemic? Sharing is caring, so let’s all help each other out, a little kindness goes a long way and we could all use a bit of that right now.
Contact us, or find us on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn and use the hashtags #isolationtips #isolationactsofkindness #coronayachties #wellness #teamwilsonhalligan to let us know how you are making it through the day.