On the surface, working from home sounds like a great idea. Ideally, you could catch a nap between work cycles, and have dinner cooking while you finish up those reports.

But since the pandemic began in March 2020, the reality has proven a little different. With no solid knock-off time or long commute to divide up the day, many people are working longer hours.

“The line between work and home has become increasingly blurred,” said Keisha Allen-Smith of coaching company Love and Light Empowerment.

“When we are working from home, we tend to work more, or later into the night,” she said. “We don’t do as much self care.”

So much for taking a nap during the work day.

To help people find more balance, Ms Allen-Smith is offering a free virtual webinar tomorrow, called More Energy, Less Stress.

“This workshop will empower you to make lifestyle and habit changes that will create work-life balance and improve your quality of life,” she said.

Ms Allen-Smith said that when Bermuda first went into lockdown in April 2020, she felt off-kilter. She was snacking all day, in a way she had never done before.

“I said we need to build more structures and routines into our life,” she said.

Setting a schedule for everyone in her household increased productivity, and soon, things were getting back on track for her.

“I became really consistent with what I call ‘magic mornings’,” she said. “I think it is really important to start your day off right. I do what I call my mindfulness, movement and prayer. I have my morning routine that helps me get a start to the day. A lot of times, I go outside to get into nature.”

Her More Energy, Less Stress webinar is part of her Career and Life Management workshop series.

Even before the pandemic began, she noticed that many people were feeling stressed, trapped and anxious. Covid-19 only increased the need for stress management workshops.

“Offering the CALM workshop series during the pandemic has been timely and rewarding because it allows me to share information and empower people to make changes to their daily habits that will improve their overall quality of life,” she said. “The pandemic has had a negative impact on people's physical and mental health worldwide.”

She said her workshops were really helping people to find some balance in their life.

“I empower people to reduce stress, increase energy levels and improve their physical, mental and spiritual well being,” she said.

She encourages people to make a personalised plan for themselves.

“At the end of the day, it is our daily habits and routines that impact our well being,” she said. “In my workshops I give options and help people to build strategies or plans for themselves. It is not a one size fits all thing. It is about what works for you. I encourage people to reflect and choose their daily habits to improve their over all well being.”

Love and Light Empowerment offers a masterclass called Balancing Work, Life and Home.

“I show people how being overworked and overwhelmed can impact their well being,” Ms Allen-Smith said. “We look at how stress impacts them. They get to assess their own personal energy levels to find out where they are. Then I teach them strategies to reduce stress and tension.”

One of her tools is called the ENERGY formula. ENERGY stands for Exercise, Nature, Eating well, Rest, Get your mind right, and You come first.

“Through this energy formula I give strategies,” she said.

She likened personal energy to a bank account.

“When you notice your bank balance getting low you become more mindful of how much you are spending and try to make more deposits,” she said. “I suggest we treat our energy the same way. Most people on a daily basis are constantly making energy withdrawals. With everything we do, we are giving up our energy. We are dealing with home and family. We are depleting ourselves, but how often are we doing things to restore our energy or to make energy deposits? How are you eating? How are you resting? How much time are you spending in nature? How much are you working on your mindset or even self care?”

She said it is important to make more energy deposits than withdrawals.

“Stress and low energy is a recipe for illness and disease,” she said.

Ms Allen-Smith said the global health crisis forced her to pivot. During the lockdowns and shelter-in-place orders she worked in the virtual space with clients such as the Inter Agency Committee for Children and Families, Bermuda General Agency, and the Bermuda Union of Teachers.

Now that Bermuda has reopened, she is taking a hybrid approach.

“I have done some international workshops using this content as well,” Ms Allen-Smith said. “It is needed worldwide.”

She also offers Mindset Matters, focusing on developing a growth mindset. She has given this workshop to staff, students and parents at The Berkeley Institute.

Other workshops including Understanding the Impact of Stress and Trauma, Make Yourself a Priority and Mindfulness 101.

Her masterclasses are two hours long, and her workshops are one hour each, and can be done in-person, or virtually.

So far 250 to 300 people have taken her workshops. The feedback has been positive.

“People embrace them and want more,” she said. “I have so many testimonials from people saying this is what they need. People are looking for a way to get themselves on track. The workshops motivate them to make these changes. They put them into action.”

Going forward she plans to continue offering courses in both the virtual and in-person spheres.

has found that she likes in-person classes and virtual classes.

“There is something about in-person, when it comes to coaching and workshops that helps with relationship building,” she said. “However, the virtual space is more convenient for people. People don’t have to travel anywhere.

Ms Allen-Smith said in the world of education, she expects to see virtual learning becoming more prevalent.

Ms Allen-Smith is an educator and energy coach. She has completed a spiritual life coaching certification, a mindfulness teacher training course and a reiki level 2 certification.

Outside of Love and Light Empowerment, Ms Allen-Smith is the director of staff development and instruction at The Berkeley Institute. She is also the Chief Education Officer of Target Learning.

More Energy, Less Stress will be held virtually, tomorrow from 12pm to 12.45pm. To register go to https://linktr.ee/loveandlightempowerment.

For more information e-mail Keishaempowers@gmail.com, or call 334-7145. See her on Instagram @loveandlightempowerment or on Facebook under Keisha Allen-Smith