As the advent of hybrid workplaces continues to grow in popularity, one thing is for certain – striking a balance between work life and your home life can be tricky!
Yes, working remotely can be liberating in terms of flexibility and freedom, but without careful management, it can also be overwhelming. It's for that reason that 86% of remote employees say they're experiencing high levels of exhaustion.
So, how do you ensure that you don’t fall into a stressful juggling act? By setting up guidelines that help you keep your work-life balance in check. Here's how to do it!
We all know how distracting it can be working from home. One minute you’re trying to focus on a spreadsheet; the next minute, your attention is drawn to that pile of laundry waiting to be put away. That's why establishing a dedicated workspace away from the rest of your home is essential – it gives you both physical and mental boundaries between work and play, telling your brain it's time for work!
Don't have an office? No problem! Set up a desk, corner, or a designated area in your home where you can "go to work". Then, when you're finished working, you can "leave" the space and hop into relaxation mode in another area.
While hybrid work gives you the freedom to work at your own pace, that also sometimes means you stay in work mode longer than you need to. In fact, 38% of employees suffer remote work burnout because they feel pressured by management to work more hours, and 53% are working more hours now than they were in the office. Does that sound like you?
If so, that's your sign to set up a schedule and stick to it. Establish your working hours, including when you clock in and out, as well as breaks throughout the day. This way, you'll stay productive while enforcing boundaries that allow you time to recharge away from work.
It's also beneficial to carve out "wiggle room" too – if something requires you to work outside of your hours, that's ok; just make sure you block out “me time” to relax and refuel.
One of the biggest challenges hybrid workers face is feeling guilty for not being available around the clock, which is why 61% of remote workers now find it more difficult to “unplug” from work during off-hours.
The solution for this is that you need to be vocal about your boundaries and set expectations with your colleagues. Make sure they know when you're available and when you're not so that no one ever feels like you're not being responsive, and it's clear that you're out-of-office.
For example, set your Slack availability, so you don't receive notifications outside of working hours, and indicate your working hours on Google Calendar. This way, everyone will be mindful of your personal time and won't bombard you with messages outside of your daily schedule. And even if they do, you won't feel the need to respond and can take a break from work guilt-free!
Sometimes, when you just find yourself sitting at home after work, it's easy to get sucked right back into the “work mindset” and stay glued to your laptop. To avoid this trap, create an end-of-day routine that helps you mentally (and even physically) separate yourself from the workday.
For instance, set time aside for a workout or plan a happy hour with friends. When you have something to look forward to after work, you'll be more likely to log off your laptop on time and stick to your schedule! Just like you plan to be productive during the work day, plan to be leisurely after hours.
It's all too common for hybrid workers to eat lunch while still sitting at their desks, but this isn't good for your mental health. In fact, numerous studies show that taking a break can improve productivity and reduce stress levels throughout the day.
Remember that there won't be anyone to remind you when it's time for lunch, so set a reminder on your phone to take a break. Whether you make yourself a simple sandwich or order in from your favourite spot, always step away from your desk and enjoy it somewhere else – even if that means sitting outside or on the couch.
Even if you're only taking 30 minutes for lunch – make sure those are 30 truly off-work minutes. Eating lunch outside of work helps create a sense of normalcy and allows you to transition into your lunch break rather than feeling like you're still working. Plus, it gives you an opportunity to step away from work and clear your mind for a bit before getting back to it.
One of the biggest downsides to remote work is that you can go hours without moving from your desk. That's why it's important to get up and move several times throughout the day to give yourself a break.
If you tend to get absorbed in your work and forget to move, set a reminder on your phone every hour or two to get up and move. For instance, try standing up and walking around while talking on the phone or listening to meetings instead of sitting down.
Alternatively, you could take a quick break and stretch or do some light exercise during the day. Even just taking a few minutes to move your body can help you stay alert and productive throughout the workday.
Finally, just because you're working from home doesn't mean you have to be “on” all the time, and it isn't the same as taking a vacation. Make sure you're taking days off work and creating space to relax and recharge physically and mentally. Don't let the allure of a hybrid job trap you into thinking there shouldn't be a need for days off. Take days off for yourself, just as you would at any other job.
That doesn't only apply to formal vacations. When the weekends come around, don’t feel guilty about disconnecting from your laptop. Take the time to do something you enjoy or explore a new hobby without checking emails or messages from work.
Hybrid work can be a real privilege, but it's important to practice self-care and create boundaries, so you don't burn out. The point is to enjoy the freedom that comes with this lifestyle and make sure you're taking the time to relax, recharge, and live your life outside of work.
By following these tips for a healthier hybrid work routine, you can become more productive during the day and have more energy for everything else in your life. Start putting these ideas into action today and see how much better you'll feel!
