Most will agree that working from home is more of a pro than a con, however, routine and balance are important factors that will ensure you stay productive and manage your stress levels.
Calvin Fisher, the owner of digital production house Pandabomb, shares a few expert tips to achieving a work-life balance and avoiding getting stressed out while working from home, below.
Create and follow a morning routine
By putting together a routine for yourself, you’ll be tricking your mind into getting you started. This can be anything from getting up and jumping into the shower or maybe starting your day off with some exercises. When you start your day early to follow your routine, it eventually becomes a habit that helps you keep going. A mindful start in the morning can keep you sane, save you time and help you avoid having to rush things later.
Prioritise and organise
Flexibility is one of the obvious benefits of working remotely. Having a plan for when to work and when to pause is something that allows remote workers to maintain a perfect work-life balance. Clarify your goals, make a to-do list and try to stick to them as often as possible. Do not procrastinate! Maintain regular hours and prioritise working on your most important tasks and projects for earlier in the day. By doing this, you’ll keep your stress levels in check.
Maintain regular contact with your colleagues
Just because you are working remotely, does not mean that you will work on your own. Communicate with your team regularly and stay updated. Tools such as Google Hangouts, Zoom, WhatsApp and Skype will help you keep in touch with peers and staff. These services can help you connect with your team, arrange meetings, share files and information related to your work. Also, they can keep everyone on the same page and make us even more productive.
Take your breaks
Stepping away from the task you’re working on is one of the fastest ways to bring stress levels down. You don’t need to spend a large amount of time away from what you’re doing, just a few minutes can do the trick. You simply need to shift your focus to something else. Play a quick game on your phone, check social media, or watch 15 minutes of a TV show or movie - then try to get back to work.
Get some support from the people you work with
Many are worried about the economy and possibly losing their jobs during these unprecedented times, which makes working from home a little more stressful. If you know which of your co-workers are likely to be supportive, seek them out and talk to them to find out what they are doing to cope. For many, asking co-workers or the boss for help during this time may be difficult. But, if bosses and co-workers look out for one another, we can all be compassionate allies during a difficult time. It’s important to know that stress is something that most people deal with daily. However, it’s still you who’s in charge and who needs to strive to be a more effective remote worker. If you treat this remote working situation with the right mindset, you’ll do a great job and enjoy the benefits that go along with it.
