Just like everything else, remote work has its ups and downs. Skipping the daily commute is great, but watch out for the real struggle of work-from-home burnout. Without proper anticipation, burnout can be worse than any pain.
86% of people doing remote work feel a real burnout, compared to about 69% of those working in person. Failing to complete assignments and poor management of work-life balance can cause this issue.
When we work from home, the lines between work and personal life are uniquely blurred. A simple sound of a work notification during dinner can easily disrupt professional and personal life boundaries.
In this interconnected setting, dealing with tons of responsibilities can lead to burnout. So we’ve prepared pro tips to avoid burnout \working from home.
Create Designated Times for Deep Work
Deep work can help remote workers get things done quickly and accordingly. It means immersing yourself in your job without any external disruption. This technique requires a high level of focus.
The role of a conducive working environment is essential for deep working. A well-organized home office without external noise can help you focus better. At this moment, you must forget about phone notifications and other things.
You design two or three hours a day for deep working, where you only focus on completing a prioritized task. You can always improve the time as you get used to it. And the rest of the day, you can continue working on more manageable tasks.
Make Task Prioritization
Prioritizing tasks helps you sort out which tasks should go first and which you can do later. Those on your prioritization list should be either very important or close to deadlines. So you can allocate your time properly.
You can create a daily listing and put your prioritized tasks first. Once your important projects are completed, remember to give yourself a good break. For a quality break, consider staying away from screens or looking at the outside to refresh your eyes and mind.
Maintain Physical Boundaries
Blake Ashforth from Arizona State University talked about how people mark the switch from work to personal life using “boundary-crossing activities.” In his study, Blake explained that putting on work clothes or commuting from home to the office are clear signs that something has changed.
You’ve shifted from being the “you” at home to the “you” at work and vice versa. However, these boundary-crossing activities blur as you can be highly flexible when working from home. So, Blake suggested maintaining these boundaries, even if you work from the comfort of your house.
You can replace the daily commute with a refreshing walk in the park and dress up as if heading to a formal office. These activities create a clear transition between your personal and work roles, which helps to recreate the mental shift and separation.
Design Your Comfort Zone
Design your home office according to your taste. Buy working appliances to help you be more productive and focused during work hours. Investing in valuable tools can go a long way in helping you get your job done.
Moreover, organize your office desk well enough. Declutter your paper and other stuff on the table so your hands can move freely on your desk. Also, keep your office space clean to motivate you each time you enter the room.
Exercise Daily
Including daily exercise into your routine is a powerful strategy to combat burnout. Physical activity helps alleviate stress and boost your mood. You can do a simple workout at home before your working session.
Make exercising a constant part of your day. Even a 30-minute walk in the park is also counted as exercising. Take a cold shower to refresh your body after sweating. These rituals can lighten your mood and motivate you to be productive.
Create Some ‘Me Time’
Carving out dedicated “me time” is essential for recharging your mental and emotional batteries. Set aside moments in your day for activities that make you happy and bring relaxation, such as painting, cycling, and taking a bubble bath.
It could also be gardening in your backyard, creating content for social media, and simply watching YouTube videos. Prioritize yourself, replenish your energy, and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
You can also consider going out to seek some fresh air and entertainment. Burnout from working from home may result from a lack of communication from the outside world.
For example, rather than sipping coffee at your house, you can go to the nearest cafe and sit for a while. Or enjoy your coffee at the nearest park while you watch nature.
Try New Projects
A stagnant life for an extended time can also result in burnout. Try introducing variety into your routine by exploring new projects or activities outside your regular work responsibility. If possible, look for projects that require you to go out.
Engaging in fresh challenges and learning experiences can invigorate your mind and prevent monotony. Whether it’s a hobby, a side project, or acquiring a new skill, diversifying your interests contributes to a sense of fulfillment.
New activities can spark excitement and minimize the feeling of stress. You can connect with new people and enjoy the moment while disconnecting from your work.
Get Enough Sleep
Quality rest impacts your cognitive function, emotional resilience, and overall performance. When you get enough sleep, you will wake up in a good mood. It’s also a way to maintain physical and mental well-being.
Ensure you prioritize a consistent and sufficient sleep schedule. If you hardly fall asleep, consider creating a sleep-conducive environment to enhance the quantity and quality of your sleep. Morning exercise can also help you get quality sleep.
Take Yearly Time Off
Grant yourself the gift of annual time off to recharge and disconnect. Taking a break from work allows you to relax, rejuvenate, and gain a fresh perspective.
Plan for a yearly vacation to step away from work responsibilities. Whether a vacation or staycation, you always deserve a yearly time off for mental and emotional recovery.
Use this time to engage in activities you enjoy, spend quality moments with loved ones, and return to work with renewed energy. Regular breaks contribute significantly to preventing burnout and sustaining long-term productivity.
Takeaway
Even though working from home can bring many flexibilities, an extended time in a secluded place while handling tons of assignments can lead to burnout. Identifying the symptoms is crucial to help you prevent experiencing burnout.
The above pro tips can help you avoid burnout while working from home. If the symptoms worsen, visit a doctor to get immediate help. Severe burnout can lead to physical discomfort and may result in depression or other chronic disease.
Read more: Top 10 Ways to Find Your Motivating Force at Work
Author Bio
Andre Oentoro is one of the co-founders of Milkwhale, an internationally acknowledged infographic production agency. He helps businesses increase visibility.