The concept of working remotely has been around for a long time; however, it has only been in the last couple of years that it has become the norm for most people. For those of my readers that do not work remotely, I can assure you that working from home is not poolside meetings with umbrella drinks and naps. Far from it, in fact. Many people that work from home face increased stress, longer hours, and even an increased risk of depression. Fear not. There are a handful of simple tips that can help you make the most of your work-from-home situation and once again find balance in your life.
1.) Designate a workspace. Most working people can get by with just a laptop and phone, which means, in theory, you can work anywhere inside or outside your home. The issue with this is that constantly moving around makes separating work and family spaces difficult. This, in turn, can also make it difficult to separate workspace from non-workspace. Pretty soon, you’ll begin to associate all of your home space with feelings of work, essentially infecting all areas of your house with stress.
2.) Set a schedule. Contrary to what some people might believe, the majority of people that transitioned from working in an office to working from home actually work more, and often irregular, hours. This increase in work hours can be due either to the employee or their co-workers, or both. Having access to work materials may lead to self-imposed feelings of guilt and unavoidable thoughts about the work that you want to get done. This is further complicated by being constantly connected with email and work accounts that can be accessed with your smartphone. If your job allows, set a very clear and consistent work schedule. Let your co-workers know that you will stop checking email and will be unavailable at a designated hour.
3.) Get a good night’s sleep. Whether it’s actual work, work-related stress, or you simply got caught up in your favorite tv show, everyone needs to get a good night’s sleep. Just as you did with your work schedule, set a sleep schedule. I think we can all agree that we are much more productive when we are well-rested. Not only will you make fewer work mistakes, but you will be better able to combat stress, think more clearly, and be happier in general. Practice good sleep hygiene by getting to bed at a decent hour and turning off electronics an hour or two before bed. Use heavy curtains to keep out unwanted, early-morning sunlight. Use earplugs to block out noise if necessary and turn down the thermostat a bit, as a cooler environment can improve sleep quality.
4.) Create a morning routine. Sure, at first, it was fun to wear sweatpants and not shower, but after a while, we started to feel as unproductive as we looked. Instead of looking and smelling like dirty laundry, create a daily routine. Get up at the same time every day. Make coffee and get something to eat. Shower, shave and brush your teeth. Then get dressed. No, you don’t need to wear a suit or a dress, but for the sake of your friends, family, and sanity, ditch the workout clothes and put on something semi-professional. If you look like a pro, you eventually feel like a pro!
5.) Build in breaks. Build breaks into your day. Get up, stretch, walk around. At lunch, go for a walk or grab a workout. Try to do something different for a few minutes every hour, and be sure to take a couple of breaks at least 15-30 minutes long. Your body and mind will thank you.
Let’s face it, work is important. Most of us get paid to do a job. If we’re lucky, we might even like some or all of it. Still, it’s important to separate work from the rest of our lives. When working at home, this separation can be difficult to attain. For physical and mental health, it’s necessary to set clear boundaries for both your workspace and your work schedule. When it’s time to work, work. When it’s time to be done for the day, be done.
For more information on wellness, personal training, or health coaching, please contact me through my website bellomofitness.com or find me on Facebook.
