Working at Home: When the Going Gets Tough, What Do You Do?
‘When the going gets tough, the tough get going.’
In the middle of a global health crisis and social unrest in most parts of the globe, the admittedly overused quote reminds you to persevere and find ways to come out stronger. That is particularly challenging when you’ve been stuck at home for months to prevent getting infected by the coronavirus.
Working from home might have doubled your coffee consumption to stay alert for Zoom calls and all-nighters. You might be lathering on an extra pump of hair loss shampoo to make up for all the times you frustratingly pull on your own hair throughout the day because of seemingly never-ending tasks.
It’s a tough situation. But it won’t go away by deciding to toughen up your exterior and focus on what you need to do. You might find it even more stressful when you keep blinders on and disregard self-care.
The lines of work-life balance might be blurred now that you’re working at home for an extended period. And the best way you can reconstruct and sharpen those lines is by being strict with yourself.
Take a look at these ways to make space between your work and personal lives at home.
Set a work schedule and stick to it.
One of the best things about working at the office is that you’re free once your eight hours are done. When you work from home, on the other hand, it might feel like your workday never ends.
Observe your work patterns to determine your most productive hours. Work during those hours, shut down your computer when your shift is done, and turn it into a routine. Stick to this schedule to maintain that same level of freedom that you used to feel in the office whenever you clock out.
Stay connected but limit social media.
Social isolation is one of the worst enemies when you work at home, especially now that the coronavirus situation is forcing us to stay at home and away from social gatherings.
It’s easy to lose energy and enthusiasm when you feel alone, so make time for regular video calls or text messaging with your closest family and friends. Just be mindful of social media usage. Too much time online tends to make you lose focus on your work.
Never sacrifice your sleep hours.
You might think it’s okay to stay up late every night because you don’t have to get up extra early to prepare for work. But the next thing you know, it’s 3 AM, and your shift starts in five hours.
Irregular sleep patterns affect your concentration and productivity throughout the day. You might not feel it, but your body is struggling to keep you moving, and your mind is working overtime to keep you awake. So be mindful of those sleep hours and be strict with bedtime.
The novelty of working from home wore out a couple of months ago. Now you’re faced with stressors like the lack of structure, blurred boundaries between work and leisure hours, and social isolation. These tips help you manage the stress of working at home. Be strict with yourself to be productive.
So when the going gets tough, don’t hesitate to toughen up.
Tia, and TipsfromTia.com is trying to keep you looking good and
feeling good, from the inside out. If you’ve got a problem or a tip email me! Be sure to Like and share on Facebook or Follow on Twitter or Instagram.