6 Tips To Avoid Burnout While Working Remotely
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For over two years now, a large portion of the workforce (especially in the promotional products industry) has continued to work from home. Employers have found that the myths surrounding remote workers (i.e., lazy employees, harder to manage, etc.) are pretty false. Many have discovered that productivity is up and operational costs are down (lower electrical bills or reduced lease space, for example), not to mention employees’ increased job satisfaction.
As we look toward the future of the corporate world, many employers have decided to keep the work-from-home model or at least have adopted a hybrid version. But whether you’re a seasoned work-from-home pro or just starting out, some studies suggest one drawback is the increased potential for burnout.
So, to help tackle that, here are six ways to help prevent burnout when working from home:
It’s really easy to get bored at night or during the weekend and then decide to get on your computer to work. Don’t do it! Setting boundaries for yourself is essential. If your spouse or roommate works in an office, it’s a good idea to turn off everything and unplug once they get home. This will help prevent burnout as well.
While working from home, it’s really easy to feel like you need to work, work, work – due to the fear of looking lazy, but it’s okay to take breaks! Remember, you would take breaks during your typical workday in an office, whether going to the breakroom to get a cup of coffee or to take a quick walk outside for some fresh air. Be sure to take clear breaks. Get up and do the dishes, laundry, or put dinner in the crockpot for later. Just make sure to set a timer, so you don’t get off track.
This one is more of a “do as I say, not as I do” type of situation. It’s so easy to fix your lunch and walk it back to your desk to eat – we all do it, and I’m especially guilty. But it’s best to take a break from your workstation and eat lunch at your kitchen table, outside, or take a walk if the weather permits!
If you just prefer to eat lunch at your desk, try taking a bit of a break, and don’t jump right back into work. I would recommend watching a few short YouTube videos such as Tasting History with Max Miller, Today I Found Out, or Geographics with Simon Whistler – all are great channels that offer quick bites that can be digested within your lunch period. Or, check out our webinars! They’re always around lunchtime and can offer you a productive way to take a break from your regular tasks.
Despite our best efforts, we all have days when we’re just burnt out. Some days, you’ll be a productivity beast and some will be a struggle. But remember to be gentle with yourself; your mental health is essential. So take a step back, recharge, and reassess how you can be more productive.
Don’t forget to make small talk! It’s natural to miss the social interactions from working in an office. If you work for a company with a hybrid remote model, pop into the office once and a while if you know others in your department will be there, join in on Zoom happy hours, or just share a cool article you read on SAGE Chat!
Many remote workers report working longer hours from home than they would have previously when they worked in an office. An easy way to set boundaries for yourself and actually step away is to get organized so you can stay on top of your tasks. That’s where a project management tool can come in handy – and luckily, SAGE has one! You can use it to look at your day and see where all of your projects are and which ones need to be prioritized. From there, you can work efficiently and still have time to get in a few episodes of your favorite show after dinner!
Do you have any good work-from-home tips or tricks that you use? Let me know in the comments below! Or if you’re looking for more productivity tips, you can check those out here!
