Hey everyone!
I hope this finds you well and healthy and finding a routine that helps you get through your day during our new normal that is COVID-19.
I returned to work on August 24th to my new work area upstairs at RBO with the Accounting staff. It was a little bit of a cultural shock for me coming from the Maintenance Building where there was always activity going on around me. At RBO, the staff stay mainly in their work areas/pods and leave only to grab a drink, coffee and for lunch breaks. That is a lot of sitting and a lot of screen time. It was difficult to adjust to after spending months away from a computer screen and being active for most of the day.
I needed something that would get me away from my desk, stretch my legs and move my body after sitting for a couple hours and give me the opportunity to refresh my mind at the same time.
This is where the puzzle comes in. There was a time where getting a puzzle during the first stages of COVID-19 was about as easy as buying toilet paper. Stores couldn’t keep them on the shelves as people were beginning to see how a puzzle could become a low-cost activity that involved the whole family. Instead of watching endless amounts of Netflix, a puzzle was able to keep the brain occupied for hours.
I brought one to work and set it up on one of the big filing cabinets in my pod and Project #Brainbreak officially began. At first, it was eyed with a little bit of doubt because of the COVID-19 policies that are in place, so I laid out a few ground rules to keep all of us safe and healthy.
I placed a sign that stated you must sanitize your hands before handling the puzzle pieces and placed a bottle of hand sanitizer beside it. I asked that only 1 person at a time work on the puzzle and you must wear your mask. If more than one person was working on it, to keep the 6ft/2m social distancing protocol between people.
It’s been a hit! I have had numerous people stop in, both 594 members and Management, to tell me that this is a great idea, a fantastic way to give the mind and body a little break and engage in team building within the areas. It’s a great feeling when I hear, “Yes! Found one!” when someone finds puzzle pieces that fit. I just want to turn around in my chair and give them a high five – but, you know, COVID-19. But it still feels good!
A healthy mind helps build a healthy body, which builds a healthy worker. In this time of our lives, our health, both mental and physical, need to be our top priority. We are almost done puzzle number one, with puzzle number two on deck waiting to be make its appearance!
Stay safe, stay healthy, stay strong!
Ellen Foley
Inspection Clerk
