It’s quite interesting to note that merely two years ago working from home was quite coveted. However, with everything happening last year, once the majority of people got the opportunity to try out this for themselves, many were left less than pleased.
Working from home, although undoubtedly rich in various benefits, can also be quite stressful. As it seems, it’s particularly difficult for people who are used to working in large corporate offices, surrounded by many colleagues, as well as people working in similar dynamic environments. That’s why we’ve decided to put together some tips that can help you stay productive, avoid burnout and manage stress if you’re still working from home and find yourself struggling with similar issues.
Structure your workday
One of the things that can easily hinder productivity when working from home is the lack of structure. When working in a corporate office, your entire workday is somewhat structured. You know when you’re expected to show up in the office, how long you’re expected to work, how many breaks you’re allowed to take and so on.
When working from home, however, those boundaries often end up being pushed. So, instead of falling into one of the most common traps of working from home, make sure you structure your workday and stick to it as much as possible. You’ll notice sooner, rather than later, how this will positively affect your productivity levels.
Dress for the job not the environment
Next, it’s also quite common that people working from home simply neglect or even abandon some healthy routines that could actually help them boost productivity, such as getting dressed for work. The running joke is that people working from home are usually doing so in their pajamas. And while you can do this, we need to strongly advise against it.
Simply put, by not taking time to get ready and dressed in the morning as if you’re still working from a corporate office, you’ll be breaking a very important – although maybe subconscious – pattern of behavior that helps you get mentally prepared for the workday ahead. Of course, you don’t have to go all out and grab your freshly-ironed shirt and pencil skirt, but avoid working in the same clothes you went to bed in the night before.
Have regular breaks and use them properly
Another common mistake people working from home make is either not taking regular breaks or not using them properly. Needless to say, this can easily lead to feelings of increased dissatisfaction, which can significantly boost feelings of stress. So, make it a priority to take a break whenever you feel like you really need one.
But instead of using that break to do some housework, try doing all the things you would normally do. Go make yourself a cup of coffee or tea. Prepare yourself a healthy snack. Go out to your porch and indulge in some quiet time while enjoying your new OZE vape pen. By taking short breaks but using them the right way, you’ll be able to recuperate and decompress more easily, which will help you get your head back in the game.
Set clear boundaries
Another common phrase anyone working from home has probably uttered at least once is “Even though I’m working from home, I’m still working”. This is particularly the case if you share a home with housemates, and even more so if you’re a parent. So, make sure you set clear boundaries with your housemates. All of you need to be on the same page and work together to make this type of arrangement truly work for everyone. Make it clear to everyone that you shouldn’t be disturbed – unless there’s an emergency, of course.
Stay in touch with your colleagues
Finally, in order to try and bring at least some sense of your old working environment into your home office, you can – and should – try to stay in touch with your colleagues and other people from the office. At times, working from home can really make you feel disconnected from your workplace and everyone you used to see on a daily basis. So, by staying in touch with them, you’ll be able to bring some of that “old normal” back into your “new normal”.
As mentioned earlier, even though working from home really does have plenty of benefits, it can still be quite difficult on some people. So, if you find yourself struggling to stay productive or feeling stressed out because of your new working situation, consider trying some of these tips out.