Still adjusting to working at home? Baylor experts are here to help.

Still trying to figure out the best way to work from home? You’re far from alone.

Maybe your kids are nearby, and you’re balancing your best at work with your best for them. Or perhaps you’re still trying to figure out a new routine, adjusting to life outside the office as all but the most vital businesses in communities around the world close down to promote social distancing and slow the spread of COVID-19.

How do you navigate this period of uncertainty and make the most of additional time with family, working from your house or maintaining meaningful routines? One of the great things about the Baylor Family is the abundance of people with a variety of expertise and a willingness to share — including Baylor professors, who are offering research-backed tips on numerous “Hot Topics” to help readers adjust as best they can. Here are a just a few tips for:

* Working from home: Long before most of us were thinking about it, Baylor business professor Sara Perry was researching the growing trend of working outside the office. As more Americans move towards remote work, The New York Times came to Dr. Perry for insight; she offers a variety of tips for building a physical workspace at home, staying on schedule, working with children, how to manage your expectations during uncertainty, and more.

* Quality family time: Closed workspaces and schools mean that families’ shared time is growing in quantity, but how best to ensure the time spent together is quality time? Family and consumer science professor Karen Melton suggests scheduling activities like free play, art and music; shares ideas for using screen time productively; and lists ideas for connecting as a family, such as a dance party, family recipe sharing or movie night.

* Keeping kids active and fit: if you’re trying to figure out how to thread the needle of keeping your kids physically active while maintaining social distancing, Dr. Paul Gordon, chair of Baylor’s Department of Health, Human Performance and Recreation, has some advice, including a simple tip to help parents avoid feeling like they have to do it all: some exercise is better than none. Children and teens do have a variety of age-appropriate activities they can engage in, which he shares. And, tying it in to Perry’s work-from-home advice — breaks are important, so find ways to meaningfully engage with children during those breaks through games, a short walk or other brief activities.

* Mental and spiritual health: As most everyone feels the impact of the “state of constant stress” we feel from COVID-19, social work professor and associate dean Holly Oxhandler shares practical ways people can process the uncertainty and tend to their mental wellbeing, from physical acts like deep breathing to spiritual disciplines like prayer and gratitude.

* Releasing stress: Everyone needs a break to avoid cabin fever as they stay inside more. Looking for green-and-gold tinted options? Let’s start with the kids: Baylor’s Mayborn Museum is offering Mayborn at Home to help kids learn as they have fun while battling cabin fever: take virtual tours, engage in creative activities, and more. Let’s not forget books and TV shows or movies: Baylor alums are well-represented on the screen, and there are plenty of ways to fling your green and gold while reading, from the 7 books that should be on every Bear’s shelf to summer books by Baylor authors (no, it’s not summer, but these books are a great escape).

Stay tuned to Baylor’s social media accounts for more tips and insights in the weeks ahead as we all socially distance (but stay connected as a Baylor Family).

Sic ’em, Baylor experts!