The sudden shift from working in an office to working at home has been sudden and drastic. While managing your business is still very much possible to do remotely, you also have to consider how your teams are coping with these changes.
It takes some adjusting and settling in when working remotely. While it may seem like it’s a good idea at first, especially if you think of the time spent in traffic and waking up early to get ready for work, it now proves to be quite challenging for some. With that said, here’s how you can get a better work-life balance.
Here are 5 Ways to Get a Better Work-Life Balance for Remote Employees:
1. Stick to a working schedule
When working remotely, it’s tempting to lounge around all day and put off some work. This may even result in lowered productivity. Challenge yourself to still get up early and go through your morning routine.
If it helps to think that you’re going to work in your office, so you have a set routine, then do so. But what’s important is you have a set schedule and see to it that you follow it religiously. It might take some time to get used to having a work schedule even if you’re just at home but eventually you’ll get used to it.
2. Check-in regularly with your team
Remember the small talks you had with your colleagues while working in between tasks? You can still make that happen. Make sure that you check in with your team every now and then. You’re not the only one who’s going through it alone; your colleagues are new to the idea of working from home too!
So even if you can’t talk to your team in-person, you can still get in touch with them instantly with team collaboration tools like Cisco Webex Teams. You can use this when you’re brainstorming for an idea, discussing the next stages of your plan, or just casually checking-in with the team. With this, you can easily share files, present reports, and connect with your team without having to worry about the connection’s not being secured or having it abruptly interrupted.
3. Have a dedicated workspace
Have you experienced working on your bed while still in your pajamas? To some extent, it’s nice to work like this, but the bed is definitely a distraction when you’re working. There’s a chance that you might even be tempted to just lounge around or sleep instead of doing your work.
To achieve a nice work-life balance, you should create a dedicated workspace. You can think of it like you going to your office but you’re just transferring to a different room this time. In this way, you’re creating that separate space that will serve as your boundaries. See to it that your workspace is free of distractions and noise so you can fully focus on what you have to accomplish. At the end of every working day, you should leave everything related to your work in your workspace.
4. Eat your meals
Have you ever encountered skipping your lunch or afternoon snack because you’re in the zone? Don’t worry; you’re not the only one! Some of us are guilty of skipping meals, too. When you’re working from home, it’s very easy to lose track of time. It doesn’t help that you’re not around your colleagues and see them get up from their workstations to eat.
You have to ensure that you follow your breaks. If you have a one-hour lunch break, see to it that you follow that. Don’t eat in front of your computer or in your workspace. Eat your meals away from your workspace and maximize your break time. It doesn’t mean that you have to work just because of your computers within your reach.
Take this time to recharge your brain and rest your eyes. You’ll have to deal with work after your break. It’s bad enough that your home is also your work area, so put in some extra effort to set that boundary.
5. Exercise regularly
One of the benefits of working from home is that you don’t have to worry about commuting time and traffic. If you didn’t have much time before to exercise, now you can make time for it! It’s very important that you do some physical movement at least three times a week. It’s enough of a sedentary lifestyle that you’re working at home; and, it’s really tempting to be a couch potato. But after sitting in front of the computer for at least 8 hours, and just walking around the house, your body deserves some more TLC!
Besides, exercise releases endorphins, which can help you feel relaxed and at ease with your stress levels. If you still think you can’t make time for it, remember about the time you’ve saved from not traveling to and from work!
Is Working from Home Makes You Happier?
Working from home has become the norm for many, and it’s natural to wonder if this shift is making us happier.
For some, the answer is a definite yes!
The flexibility to set your schedule, avoid long commutes (…save money on them), and work in the comfort of your own space can really boost your mood.
You have more time to spend with family, pursue hobbies, and even take breaks whenever needed!
This will only contribute to a better work-life balance!
However, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. While working from home can increase happiness for some, others may feel isolated or struggle to separate work from personal life.
Without the social interaction of an office environment, feelings of loneliness can creep in, affecting overall happiness. So, the impact on peace really depends on your personality, work habits, and how well you adapt to this new way of working.
Especially if you can organize everything well and have time for your personal life. If you end up working all day and night with your eyes glued to the screen, it won’t be as peaceful as you would expect.
What Are the Long-Term Effects of Remote Work?
As more companies embrace remote work, it’s important to consider the long-term effects. On one hand, remote work can lead to increased productivity and job satisfaction.
Employees can work in environments where they feel most comfortable, which can result in higher-quality work.
Plus, companies can save on office space and related expenses, which could be redirected into employee benefits or other areas.
The Bad Part!
On the other hand, prolonged remote work can blur the lines between personal and professional life.
Without clear boundaries, burnout becomes a real risk.
Additionally, the lack of in-person interaction can weaken team cohesion and make it harder to build relationships with colleagues. Over time, this could lead to a decline in company culture and a sense of disconnection among employees.
While working from home has its perks, it’s important to be mindful of the potential long-term challenges and find a balance that works for you.
Adjusting In the New Work Dynamic!
Now that most of us are working remotely, it’s important to prioritize work-life balance. You are literally working and resting in your home, which makes it hard to establish that boundary of when to stop working and start resting.
It may be a temporary setup, but you still must make the most of it.
The last thing that you want to happen is for your productivity or rest to be compromised just because you weren’t able to set your boundaries.
Learn how to draw the line between where work starts and where the rest ends. The tips written above are five simple but effective ways to achieve that work-life balance
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