5 Tips to Find a Better Work-Life Balance When Working Remotely

Prolonged time away from the office with little to no social interactions can affect one’s mental health. There’s this pressure to respond to non-urgent messages received beyond work hours and to work harder than if you were in the office. From loneliness to anxiety, these effects can impact your overall work performance.

According to Microsoft’s 2021 Work Trend Index, Gen Z employees struggled the most during the shift to remote work. 16% found it hard to get a word in during virtual meetings and to feel excited about work. For the junior workforce, the remote work transition came when they were still finding their career footing. Unlike what they expected, they didn’t get to have in-person training, onboarding, and networking—experiences that could shape their career mindset.

The emotional and mental exhaustion you feel from prolonged work stress is burnout. To ease this overwhelming feeling, you need to have a good work-life balance or a sustainable way of working while maintaining your general wellbeing.

Overlooking work-life balance and succumbing to burnout can lead to multiple health issues such as headaches, sleep disturbances, psychological disorders, and cardiovascular diseases. By contrast, finding a good work-life balance can make you happier, healthier, and more productive. A win for both you and your employer!

Read through this article to get tips on how you can improve your work-life balance while working from home.

1. Have a dedicated workspace

Establishing a clear physical boundary between work and personal life is important if you’re telecommuting or working remotely.

If possible, work away from your bedroom. Create a dedicated workspace with an efficient setup either in a spare room or in a corner of your living area. By doing this, you subconsciously associate that space with work. When you’re not in that space anymore, you can switch to focusing on your personal life.

2. Switch off after working hours

Set a specific time to finish work and stick to it. For example, once the clock strikes 5pm, it’s time to pack up, finalize tasks, mute work notifications, and leave your work desk. Publicize your schedule and let your co-workers know when your office hours are done. This sets boundaries and prevents them from thinking they can reach you 24/7.

3. Take breaks

Getting accustomed to the work-from-home setup can lead you to take on as many tasks as possible to help you feel productive. However, jumping from one task to another without having a break is counterproductive. Taking a break allows your mind to regroup and recenter itself.

After a meeting, spend 10-15 minutes away from your desk. Walk around the house, talk with a family member, or play with your pet. Having breaks between work tasks prevents your brain from feeling overloaded.

4. Start the day with a non-work morning routine

When you work onsite, you inevitably carve out some time to prepare for work. You drink coffee, take a shower, and commute to your workplace. In the remote work setup, you can easily get out of bed and head straight to your workspace, totally skipping any routine. If you want a better work-life balance, create yourself a routine doing what you love.

A morning routine at home will help prepare your mind to go into work mode, as you would if you were commuting to work onsite. Take the time to sit down (not on your work desk!) and sip your coffee – perhaps read a book while you’re at it. Alternatively, you could do a quick gentle yoga session to keep your blood pumping.

5. Set a proper lunchtime

Working from home also means you’re just a few steps away from the fridge. You’re free to graze on snacks all day long, and while this sounds delightful, it isn’t good for keeping a good work-life balance.

When you’re in the office, you’ll take a lunch break, usually 30-60 minutes away from your desk. So do this at home, too. Set aside time for a proper lunch and a recharge ready for the afternoon.

Find the right balance

Remote work brings numerous benefits for employers and employees alike. If you’ve been working from home for some time now, take a step back and evaluate if you have a good work-life balance. Do you feel exhausted? Do you want to improve your home productivity?

Anxiety, low moods, and fatigue are all signs of burnout. Keep your health in check and slowly incorporate these habits into your work life to sustain productivity and prevent health issues.