Working from home balance
Working from home (WFH) has increased immensely since the start of the pandemic. Not only are businesses still offering this as an alternative to returning to work (at the moment), but some businesses are offering it as a permanent change.
Whilst WFH sounds amazing (and often can be), it also comes with its own challenges and changes. I have been working from home full-time for three years and would like to share with you my tips and advice.
- Set a routine/working hours
Having work hours (like you would in the office) allows you to set boundaries and be aware of when you should be working. It also makes sure that the hours you are working are not more than they should be.
- Only work your set hours
Often a hard one, keeping your working hours to what they are supposed to be. Staying working within those hours and not trying to squeeze a few extra jobs in after hours. It may seem okay at the beginning, however, the more you do it, the more normal it becomes and can eventually take over.
- When you are not working, actually turn the device off and put the phone on silent
Another trap, close the laptop and walk away. How easy it is to be tempted to just open it up and ‘quickly’ do something. You hear the phone get a message, ‘I might just check that’.
Turn the laptop or device off, the more effort you have to go to, to turn it on, the less likely you are to do it. Turn the phone on silent, temptation removed and the response can wait for you when you are at work next.
- Do not put your work emails on your personal phone
Don’t do it!!! Something so trivial, it helps when you are out and need to check something, for sure. But then you find yourself checking them as you jump into bed, on Saturday mornings and all through the hours you are not meant to be working.
- Separate your work and living area (if possible)
If possible, keep your work area separate, an area you can walk away from or close the door to signify that work has finished for that time. Not only does this help you, but also helps your family identify when you are and are not working.
- Make sure you actually take a lunch break
Actually stopping for lunch. At home, it is easy to make (or order) lunch and eat it at your table whilst you are still working. However actually having a lunch break is so important, important to your physical and mental health, but also important to your work. You need to have a break, reset, allow your brain and body to have time to recover throughout the day.
- Utilise the work from home experience for good
Working from home has its benefits, being able to be flexible with working hours, attending school events, catching up for coffee and so much more. Where possible, use this flexibility to your advantage. Attend that massage, go to your child’s assembly, or take a mid-day jog.
And lastly, watch for signs of being burnt out and actually act on these rather than pretending they don’t exist!
I hope this helps.
-Kaitlin-