People think just because you are working from home, your job automatically becomes easier. Sure, you do not have to worry about the commute, the extra fuel expenses, etc. but working from home is not the utopia it is made out to be.
Not only do people working from home have to work for the home as well, but they also are more likely to be overworked. Moreover, there is no exit to working from home; the mere act of leaving the office is relaxing, but when your home is your office, there is no getting away from work. Everything then reminds you of work.
Due to these inconveniences, people working from home are at high risk of burnout, experiencing problems like sleep issues, stress, digestive problems, anxiety, fatigue, and mood problems. Therefore, having protocols to prevent burnout is important.
10 ways to prevent burnout when working from home
1 Add some discipline to your life
It is important that you follow a proper routine. A lack of order can make you feel more overwhelmed and out of control. Moreover, the discipline aids in effective time management as well.
2 Carve some ‘me time’
‘Me time’ is an excellent way to distress and release all negative emotions. Every day, practice things that give you happiness. These could be baking, gardening, painting, reading; whatever helps you be happy and is not harmful.
3 Get a break
When working from home, it is difficult to catch a break. Your day starts at the break of the dawn and does not end till after when you are in bed. So, make sure that during the way you schedule breaks. However, these breaks are not so that you can fit in some domestic activities; that would be counterproductive.
4 Find time for what you like working on
When in the phase of burnout, work becomes extremely boring. To prevent becoming apathetic towards your work, find time to do work-related activities that you enjoy. It can be research, product development or content creation; do what you enjoy the most.
5 Prioritize your sleep
One of the signs of burnout is sleep issues. And since sleep ties closely to your well-being, make sure that you get the requisite 7 to 9 hours of quality shuteye.
6 Set boundaries
Set boundaries between what is your home life and what is your office life. Once you have clocked out, do not check up on your work. Follow the routine you ideally would when working from the office, rather than letting work encroach on your personal life.
7 Separate your home from your office
Have a separate space for your office, as otherwise, everything in your house would remind you of work, making you stressed then.
8 Talk to your supervisor
Your supervisor cannot visibly see the signs of burnout, so, you must relay to them about being overwhelmed and needing a break.
9 Vacation, please
Do not miss your vacation days. Even if you are not traveling, take a staycation but take a break from work.
10 Get help for your mental health
Burnout and your mental health are intricately linked. So, it is important that you get professional help for not just burnout symptoms, but improving your mental health otherwise as well.
Fitcy Health is an excellent place to start because you can choose from a variety of experts. You also get different packages, which are convenient for your pocket. Also, you can message your counselor whenever you think you need help.