It could be challenging to set boundaries and deal with distractions or interruptions to your workday. What’s more, unless you make an effort to connect with others, remote work can lead you to feelings of isolation. Staying indoors all the time also means less physical activity, which could lead you to become sedentary.
The great news is, there are tools and practices available to alleviate the stress and pressure of being in charge of your workday. Read on for tips to make working from home a breeze!
Create a Routine and Stick to It
Have “rituals” to begin and end your workday. In the morning, you can take some time to stretch or have coffee or tea. As you wind down the day, make a point of putting your work material away or taking an evening walk.
Also, follow the rhythms of an in-office workday—opt to wake up and start working at the same time every day, take lunch at a similar time, and have a dedicated workspace at home. Routines normalize your workload and help you enforce boundaries. If you live with others, they’ll know that you’re “at the office” for certain hours of the day, which lets you concentrate on work.
Take Walking Breaks
Get moving—walk around your home, do quick stretches, or head outside for a walk. Spending time outdoors, whether for exercise or just enjoying the fresh air, will help you recharge. It can also help you think through challenges or tricky work situations.
Minimize Distractions
When working remotely, consistency is crucial. You’ll get long and uninterrupted periods if you silence your phone and turn off non-work-related notifications on your desktop device. You might also want to invest in a good set of noise-cancelling headphones if you live in a busy area, have pets, or live with others.
Make Time for Meeting Loved Ones
It’s common for remote workers to feel isolated. You have to connect with people who support you—meeting with your loved ones can be as re-energizing as a walk outdoors. Since people have different schedules, you have to set up a call or a video chat. People are often happy to catch up, but not everyone will take the initiative to ping or reach out first!
Stay Motivated with Rewards
Keep your motivation up by breaking tasks down into more manageable steps. When you complete them, reward yourself—you can take a break, recite affirmations, physically check things off a to-do list, or take a few moments to look through your news feed.
Enforce Your Boundaries
Be gentle but firm and say no to non-work-related requests. It can be challenging to place your needs above others, but know that it’s perfectly okay. You have a job to prioritize, and setting boundaries will prevent you from taking on more than you can handle. It also enables you to decide what to do with your downtime.
Get Enough Sleep
The quality of your sleep affects your well-being. Don’t stay up all night finishing a presentation or crunching numbers—though it’s tempting to do that, it’s counterproductive. Instead of making you better at work, it’ll make you slower since it affects your sleep patterns.
Be Kind to Yourself
Finally, when working from home, it’s crucial to practice self-care. Besides sleeping well, connecting with loved ones, and getting exercise, figure out other things that help you reset during your downtime. Yoga, taking naps, reading, listening to music, and pursuing a hobby can all help you restore your balance.
Conclusion
Working remotely offers plenty of freedom—you have no dress code, commute, or office guidelines to worry about. However, some people are surprised by the amount of stress they feel once they get into the swing of things. When you work from home, you have the freedom to schedule your days. That’s a double-edged sword; while it can help you produce more, it could also be detrimental to your productivity.
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