Can We Create a Work-Life Balance While Working From Home?
This week let’s talk about working from home. I’ve written about the benefits of in-person collaboration in previous blogs; face-to-face interactions, unplanned conversations, the nuances of body language, and physical proximity all play a significant role in creating positive experiences and culture in the workplace.
The reality, however, is that many workplaces will continue having employees working remotely for the foreseeable future. In contrast, others may adopt a hybrid model that will include some time at home and some time at the office.
In either scenario, the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance when working from one’s home will continue to play an integral role in employees’ sense of mental health and well-being.
Working From Home Needs Boundaries
Of course, there are obvious upsides to working from home: eliminates daily commutes more than 50 feet, schedules are a little more flexible, and (in theory) there is also a little more time for our personal and family life. But there are also downsides to remote work.
Here are some ideas to minimize those downsides and the associated consequences. First, let’s be proactive about creating work/life separation. You need to establish boundaries and distinctions between your personal and professional life to not only improve your mental health and well-being but make you a more productive and efficient employee. You enjoy both your work and your personal life more when there are some healthy divisions between the two.
The Importance of Powering Off
Being able to “shut down” professionally for the day is easier to do when you go into the office and leave for home at the end of the day. However, modern technology certainly challenges us to stay connected at all times. It’s hard to resist!
Unfortunately, it seems like the majority of remote workers have made themselves available all of the time. Tasks seemingly as harmless as checking your email, text messages, or voicemail after work hours can quickly begin to erode the distinction between your professional and personal life. You feel like you’ve never fully turned off work mode. There was never a real break. You are always: ON.
When you fail to power off for the day, it can easily lead to a sense of burnout and mental fatigue. As a result, you may get less done and be less productive. On the other hand, having a hard target of 5:00 p.m. (non-negotiable) for the day helps you focus more on priorities and deadlines.
Your family depends on you to “clock out.” You are now their human being – the person they love and need in their life.
How do We Create Those Boundaries and Stick to Them?
Let’s start by asking ourselves this question:
Do I need to be a part of every meeting and conference call, or reply to every email, that I am included in?
Give it some thought and the next time you feel that you do not need to be a part of something, practice the skill of excusing yourself, or if you are in leadership, delegating to someone who would benefit from attending. Don’t let your ego get in the way. You show greater strength by increasing your productivity than by showing everyone that you are everywhere, all the time, and never miss one detail that goes on around you.
If you feel like you are spending far too much time doing things that are taking away from your ability to be a productive employee, then chances are you are trying to do too much.
In other words, you are spreading yourself too thin.
By spreading yourself too thin, you must put in extra time to catch up on things. The culprit may well be zoom meetings and email chains where you didn’t need to be.
Taking Breaks Is Mandatory
Taking proper breaks during the day (or night shift) helps to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Breaks keep you thriving – in many ways. Among the many benefits of taking breaks are reduced stress, lowered blood pressure, less risk of experiencing burnout and fatigue, and a likely chance that you will feel more creative and better at problem-solving!
Taking Breaks When Working From Home
So what are the best ways to take breaks while working from home?
- There are many, but first on my list is a little bit of daily exercise. A lunch-time walk or run, or some yoga or weight lifting all have tremendous benefits in breaking up the routine and allowing us a chance to recharge. Exercise releases endorphins which make us happier and in better moods.
- Power naps are also effective ways for us to recharge—and this is a perk to the home office. I highly recommend you set your alarm for a 20-minute snooze and then take on the afternoon with a recharged battery.
- Equally uplifting and renewing are 20-minute meditations. Of course, there are many different ways to meditate, and finding that inner silence far removed from the “noise” and pressures of the workday can be life-altering.
How Many Breaks?
There is no magic number, but three breaks throughout your workday will most likely make you happier. Your performance will improve. Your productivity, energy, and personal well-being will be enhanced. When the day is done, you will have fuel in the tank for the people for whom you work so hard.
So take your breaks, create your boundaries, and power off for the day. Tomorrow has its agenda.
