Why is COVID-19 like the zombie apocalypse? It has put us all on survival mode, businesses and employees. We have swerved, conserved, focused, fought,  and doubled back more than we ever thought possible in this drastically disrupted environment. Uncertainty, fear, and exhaustion have reigned—for many, are still reigning, as we struggle not to turn into zombies ourselves. Workdays spent frenzied at home can feel like a neverending battle. Sometimes in the rush, we forget what our team members are going through, and they may not always feel the appropriate support coming off the company. This can translate into tanked morale and less-than-stellar reviews on employment websites. But let’s not count out our ability to adapt just yet.

It’s not too late to bolster your employee morale with these three tips.

Appreciation

Employee appreciation is an oldie but always goodie. More than anything, employees want to feel appreciated, and the steps you take to improve morale will work to that end. Tell your employees when they do a good job, large or small. Recognize them at the staff meetings, and submit their work for kudos in the company newsletter. Send them an electronic gift card or a thank-you note. You’d be surprised how much simple appreciation can make an employee feel fabulous, even in stressful times.

Subscription Services

You can’t fix everything your employees are experiencing during this upheaval. But you can give them tools that might help their work-from-home journey. Some companies have subsidized subscription services for health and fitness as well as childcare. You could even consider a benefits stipend to support services of the employees’ choice, such as grocery boxes, housecleaning, or whatever will help the employee best adjust.

Self-Care

When you’re running around all crazy, self-care is the first thing that goes out the window. Sleeping, eating, dressing, even bathing take less and less priority in this heightened state. You can’t make employees take care of themselves, but those subscription services sure might help, and you can make a direct impact by modeling self-care. Plan in daily breaks to take a walk or spend time with the family, and encourage employees to unplug and do the same. Encourage office hours so no one is working at midnight.

In Conclusion

During this chaotic time when nothing feels sure, you can leave employees to survival mode, or you can help lift them out of it. Show employees they matter by offering appreciation, support services, and by modeling self-care. You’ll work toward building happier, more motivated employees that will be loyal brand advocates during this trying time. You would give them refuge if they had zombies chasing after their brains, right?