Last year, if we had been told that we would be primarily working from home, I’m sure that most of us would’ve been jumping for joy. Not having to dress up, no daily commute and Zoom meetings without pants, what could be better? However, these pleasures were short-lived. After the initial stages of lockdown the novelty wore off. We began realising that our working hours were becoming indistinguishable from non-working hours. Meetings were being scheduled for later and mealtimes were continually postponed. Our laptops (or desktops) were beginning to see more of us than before lockdown. Most people were not going into work but ended up working longer hours. How could this be? An unbalancing of our lives had taken place.
With 2020 coming to a close we can use our newfound knowledge to ensure that 2021 doesn’t lead burnout and that our stress and anxiety levels are reduced. Even if you’re no longer going to be working from home in the New Year, here are some tips to help you re-establish some semblance of order in your life.
Set Designated Working Hours
Use the flexibility of working from home to your advantage. If you have commitments in the afternoon, start working earlier than your conventional hours. However, it is important to be strict with yourself. If you commit to stop working at 14h30, then stop working at 14h30. This helps avoid the blurring of lines between work and your personal life and subsequently averts the danger of burnout. There is no need to check your emails until the time you go to bed. To be productive, you need to be well-rested.
Create a Designated Work Space
Set aside a room or space in your place of living that is the only place where you work. Don’t bring your laptop to bed to finish up your work. Rather, finish typing your last few emails at your designated working area and leave your laptop there. Separating your work and living spaces allows you to enjoy your leisure time without being stressed out about your commitments. Using this tip will also allow you to increase the comfort and appropriateness of that space for work. Consider kitting out your makeshift home office with a comfortable chair, stationery and lighting.
Move During Your Breaks and Get Fresh Air
Sitting behind your desk while crouched over your laptop is not conducive to your physical or mental health. Taking a short walk or scheduling in more intensive exercise can assist with your blood flow, mood, and overall health. Not to mention the potential benefits to be gained in the sleep department. Furthermore, sitting indoors all day can be suffocating and even start to affect your cognitive performance and decision-making. If you want to optimize your productivity, step outside. Water your pot plants or your garden. If you have pets, take them for a walk. A change of scenery can be extremely powerful in fostering effective solutions.
Use a To-Do List
Having your work responsibilities written down is immensely helpful. This helps you adequately assign time for your tasks. Knowing what lies ahead of you can make everything seem more manageable and less intimidating. Update your list in real-time and try and plan ahead. Break down these lists into daily, weekly and even monthly timeframes. You can even get creative and implement a reward system linked to your lists. Finish next week’s list well ahead of time? Treat yourself to that new pair of running shoes.
These are some easy-to-implement and actionable steps you can take towards making your situation while working from home more productive and restful. 2020 has been an exhausting year for most of us but we can use the lessons we’ve learned to ensure that 2021 does not have the same flavor. If you’re struggling with burnout, anxiety, stress, or depression as a result of your work and/or personal life, please feel free to reach out to me for help. I offer a wide range of services to empower you to achieve your full potential!
