Working remotely has become the new normal for many of us since the pandemic began. Although most people prefer working remotely, it’s not always easy. When we work from home, we tend to work too much, and we find it hard to draw boundaries between our personal and professional lives. Do you notice that you're more stressed now that you're working from home? Are you feeling more tired, withdrawn, or less productive? You may be experiencing symptoms of burnout.
To help combat these risks, there are a few things you can do to enhance your well-being while working remotely:
Create a Commute To and From Your Office
I read a stat years ago that shared 20 minutes is the perfect commute. It’s that “sweet spot” of being far enough from your office, without being too far. That has stayed with me. One way to combat feelings of overwhelm with remote work can come from creating a commute for yourself. This could be as simple as taking a 20-minute walk before you start your day and after you finish. This will not only give you time away from your desk, but also help get your blood flowing in the morning and release any excess tension at the end of the day. Additionally, getting some fresh air can improve your mood and help clear your mind for more productive work.
Be Mindful Of The Amount Of Multitasking
It’s easy to get caught up in multitasking when working remotely—especially if you have other responsibilities like taking care of children or pets or managing household chores. While multitasking can be helpful in some cases, it can increase distraction, which in turn, can increase stress. Studies find that it usually leads to lower quality and a reduction of productivity by up to 40% because it requires constantly shifting focus from one task to another. Therefore, try to limit the amount of multitasking you do while working so that you can remain focused on the task at hand and produce better results overall. Consider the Pomodoro Method to ensure optimal productivity and minimal multitasking.
Take A Real Lunch Hour
Taking regular breaks throughout the day is essential for maintaining well-being—and this includes taking a real lunch hour! This is my favorite part of the day: I make a real lunch, I sit down to eat it, I give myself time for myself. Most people don’t realize just how important it is to take an actual break during their lunchtime rather than just grabbing something quickly while continuing to work through tasks in front of the computer. Taking a real lunch break gives you time dedicated solely for yourself where you can enjoy some peace and quiet (or at least quieter!) without having calls or emails interrupting every few minutes. Not only does this give your mind time to rest, but it also helps reinvigorate your creativity which can boost your energy levels throughout the rest of the day.
Working remotely has its own unique set of challenges that must be managed carefully so that we can remain productive and healthy while working from home. By creating a commute for yourself each morning and evening, being mindful of multitasking, and taking regular breaks throughout the day—including an actual lunch hour—you can ensure that your well-being remains high even when working remotely. Doing so not only helps reduce stress levels but also increases productivity and boosts energy, which ultimately leads to your leveling-up in the long haul. Now that’s a win-win I can get on board for!
Learning how to work optimally, while being remote, can be a challenge if not structured properly. But more often than not, it starts with your mindset. I can help you! If you’re thinking about how you can work remotely and get that next promotion, or work remotely and still be considered for the next exciting project, you may find that achieving that is harder than you thought. If you’re sitting here wondering how you can level-up and not burnout in the process, consider scheduling a free Burnout Consult call with me today.
