Due to the sudden shift to working fully remotely—caused by the continuing crisis of the COVID-19 virus—employees are finding it hard to maintain healthy limits between their work and home lives. Not only that, working in isolation can be a real challenge for them as it can take a toll on their well-being. It is crucial to build a habit that will maintain the work-life balance; so they can still become effective and productive employees even when they are working from home.
- Get dressed
One of the most common things employees enjoys the most while working from home is working in PJs all day, every day. However, dressing up like you are headed to the office will help you switch your mind into working mode. And this can impact your work productivity. So before firing up the computer, put on a work-appropriate attire.
The attire does not have to be suit and tie, and high-heels and corporate blazers. Putting on something that you would wear outside the house will do.
- Set solid boundaries at home
Remote employees must separate their work life from their home life. They must have a designated area for work and then set boundaries. For instance, they can let their family know that they can not be interrupted during work hours. Or, no family members and pets are allowed to enter the designated workspace until work hours are over. This way, employees can avoid distractions and focus on the task at hand.
Setting boundaries at home can create an atmosphere that employees are in a real working environment. This can result in having more work done.
- Take quality time off
Use the time off for some quality break. Sure, there are weekends that employees must still have to work because they were not able to finish what they had to during the weekday. (This is why employees must finish everything before the day ends.) But, do not forget that spending the time off in quality activities can be helpful to one’s mental health as well. Use this time to do physical activities and socialization.
Hit two birds with one stone by inviting some fellows for a quick hike. Do not think about it. Just do it. Put on those leather camper shoes and get moving. Oh, and mind the COVID-19 guidelines.
- Disconnect
When the working-hour is over, turn off that business and call it a day. Turn off your computer and leave the workstation. It is never healthy for a remote employee to be available 24/7. Work never ends. Learn how to disconnect and enjoy some quality time with family.
- Eat healthily
Eating healthily is not just about eating your greens. It is also about eating the right amount of food, at the right time. One advantage of working from home is having unlimited access to the fridge. With that, it is easy to eat whatever, whenever. Set the lunchtime to avoid eating early or late. Follow that eating schedule as you would when you are in an office.
Take advantage of having lots of healthy options in the kitchen. Unlike when working in the office, employees are mostly left with whatever is available in the nearby cafe or the office pantry.
- Take some time to check on your mental health
Working in isolation can be a lonely journey, especially if this change is unexpected and abrupt for someone. It is crucial to improve the mental health of remote workers, so they can function as they would in a regular office.
If an employee is experiencing anxiety and depression, they must take some time to acknowledge how they feel and reach out to others. Finding support from the family and connecting with a friend even if it is through a phone call or a facetime can help improve their well-being. But the best of all, they must seek help from professionals.
- Make a habit of exercising daily
This sounds pretty common but that is because regular exercise is essential to become an effective and productive remote employee. A quick run every morning can boost endorphins and serotonin. These two chemicals are responsible for giving people that happy feeling. Being physically active may also prevent burnout among remote workers.
It is essential that employees, especially those who are working from home, maintain a work-life balance. By having this, employees will be more likely to feel stressed and burned out. A balanced work-life promotes a healthy working environment and can bring remote workers a greater sense of well-being.
