COVID-19 Member Resources
We know that this is a rough time and that our AmeriCorps members doing amazing work serving in Austin might be struggling. Your health – mental and physical – is a top priority for us right now and we are here to support you. Here is a quick list of resources that can help with Austin specific questions, keep you feeling grounded, and build tele-service habits.
Above all, be kind and gentle with yourself right now! AmeriCorps often attracts folks with high expectations of themselves and it might feel that you are not at your most productive right now. You are doing the best you can – that is enough!
If you have specific questions about your service, please reach out to your program.
Questions about living and serving in Austin during the pandemic?
Austin is currently offering resources for residents, including assistance with utilities and internet access. The city is also keeping their website updated on the evolving closures of businesses. Please go here for more information: COVID-19: Community Resources.
We know that many of our members may have lost their part-time job. While we would urge members to stay home if they can, there are companies in Austin that hiring right now. As a reminder, these second jobs cannot overlap with your usual service hours. If you are working another job in which you have to leave the house, wear a mask (homemade cloth masks), wash your hands, and try to maintain social distancing. Find a list of these opportunities here: https://www.kvue.com/article/money/need-a-job-these-austin-area-stores-other-businesses-are-hiring-right-now/269-b06b80a3-fc9f-4a30-8fb3-6fca4ad09693.
Feeling stressed or anxious? You aren’t alone and there are resources to help.
Only have a few minutes? Listen to this great podcast about coping with anxiety during the pandemic: How to conquer your anxieties during the COVID-19 outbreak
Take advantage of free apps for meditation and mindfulness: Free Health and Wellness Apps
Reading through mental health resources can normalize how you are feeling: Coronavirus Mental Health Blog
Get some fresh air by going on a walk (while social distancing) or use one of the many work-out services releasing free content right now: 26 Free or Low-Cost Workouts You Can Do At Home While Social Distancing Because of Coronavirus
Suddenly serving from home? Here are some quick Teleservice tips:
Stick to your usual getting ready to go to campus/work habits
Get dressed – yes, get dressed. It helps you remember that you’re serving hours and not spending your usual time at home.
Put on shoes – weird, but an effective trick.
Make breakfast, coffee/tea, anything you would do normally if you were commuting to service – except leave the house
Set a schedule for yourself – and stick to it
This will help you maintain some semblance of work/life balance (separation).
Create a beginning of the day ritual (see above) and end of day ritual (see below). This teaches your brain to stay in “work mode” when you’re serving and “I’m done for the day mode” when you’ve finished.
Be sure you get up and walk around every once in a while (recommended every 90 mins).
Schedule at least two 15-minute breaks for yourself before and after lunch.
Schedule a lunch break where you disconnect from work completely – no checking emails, no phone calls, etc.
Set up an environment/space that works for you
Be sure you make your space conducive to work – turn your personal notifications off on your phone and limit social media (just like you would if you were on campus).
Resist the urge to multi-task personal and service-related activities. Your brain works best when you focus on one task at a time and you will feel more accomplished at the end of your day.
Make your space as comfy as possible. Good lighting to reduce eye strain, soft pillows (especially for your lower back if you’re sitting) and clean, organized surfaces. Consider incorporating scents as a signal to your brain that this is your serving time, not regular “at home” time.
If you live with roommates, communicate your schedule to your roommates so they know you’re unavailable during service hours (as if you weren’t home)
Ask yourself – What helps me feel focused, grounded, & engaged? How can I design or adjust your home space so that it reflects this?
Schedule your personal tasks outside of your service time
It can be tempting to catch up on house chores or leave a tv show running in the background. This may be fun at first, but soon you’ll start to feel the lines blurred between serving and personal time and you’ll feel like you’re not getting enough time for yourself. Do the dishes/laundry/cleaning on breaks or after your day is over.
Be sure you receive enough social interaction
Schedule regular check-ins with others, both professionally and personally.
Humans are social creatures and need connection to feel fulfillment, some more than others.
Your level of connection with other people will directly impact your quality of life. Resist the urge to hibernate and reach out to each other.