As the pandemic progresses, for the first time we may be seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. But COVID remains a threat to millions across the country, with different states and regions seeing different infection levels.
As a result, many companies are still asking their employees to work remotely. In some cases, they’ve made the switch permanent, either to lock in cost savings, boost employee morale, or both.
But working from home long-term requires a slightly different skill set. It can be challenging, especially if you have to share your workspace with your spouse, children, pets, elderly parents, or other housemates. As the pressures of work, child care, home care, and health care take their toll, you could risk burnout just juggling them all.
Burnout symptoms range from physical and mental exhaustion to stress, anxiety, fear, and depression. The good news is, there are plenty of ways to combat it. Here are a few ideas on how to avoid burnout when working remotely.
Create a Designated Workspace
If you’ve been working from the couch or dining room table and have had a hard time blocking out the TV or kids running around, you’ll need to make a drastic change in your work environment for the longer term. Find a workspace you can call your own — preferably a room with a door that closes.
The longer you’ll be working from home, the more important it is that you claim a designated workspace to do your job. Identify a place large enough to accommodate both you (ergonomically) and all the equipment you need, whether that’s just a laptop or a whole office setup that includes a printer/scanner, filing cabinet, and bookshelves.
Then make sure you get the right equipment for your needs, such as the proper keyboard with a number pad, a wide computer screen or an extra monitor, and a mouse that fits your hand.
Finally, personalize your space with plants, candles, photographs, and other items that will make you feel comfortable there. Make sure you have good lighting (natural lighting is great) and don’t let it get too cluttered.
Establish Work Boundaries
Create a work schedule with clear boundaries to distinguish when you’re working from when you’re not. Otherwise, you may find yourself working around the clock. Burning the candle at both ends with no boundaries between “work life” and “home life” can easily lead to burnout.
Fortunately, working remotely can give you greater flexibility in your work schedule. At the same time, you need to coordinate your hours with your colleagues to make progress on joint projects. Establish and maintain boundaries for your work time that work well for you and your team, taking into consideration their work-from-home circumstances as well.
Take your lunch break to reset and, if you have kids at home, fill their attention buckets. Be sure to block out nonwork times for things like appointments in advance, and let your colleagues know so they won’t expect you to be available.
Learn as You Go
Working remotely may require that you learn new skills or hone your tech knowledge. Lack of know-how shouldn’t cause stress or hinder you from getting the job done.
Talk to your employer if you need training in specific areas, or seek online tutorials to help you learn as you go. Smart employers will do their part to help remote workers get the tech training they need to make this work model succeed.
Keep in mind, too, that it doesn’t have to be too hard. You can save time with simple steps like familiarizing yourself with keyboard shortcuts and bookmarking frequently used websites on your browser.
Stay Connected
Isolation is one downside of working remotely, and it can really affect your productivity. By staying connected with your supervisors, co-workers, and colleagues, you can reduce that feeling of being left out. Video conferencing is one way to stay in touch with others. Getting regular face time with others is good for your morale and reminds you that you’re not alone.
You also should check in frequently with your family and friends, especially if you aren’t able to gather with them in person. Additional texts, calls, or video chats may seem draining after working from home all day, but catching up with your loved ones regularly will help you achieve the elusive work-life balance you seek.
Address Financial Fears
It’s hard to concentrate on work when you’re worried about your finances. If the pandemic has taken a toll on your bank account, depleted your savings, or forced you to rely on credit cards, you’re not alone. Rather than worry, begin taking measures to become more financially stable.
For urgent financial concerns, check into COVID relief programs where you live. In addition to the moratorium on evictions, states are offering assistance with rent and utilities to help keep the bills from piling up.
Once you’re on your feet, you can start building a financial cushion. Create a budget to monitor your spending, cut the frills, and start saving up an emergency fund. Start paying off debts and managing your credit so you’ll be prepared financially for the future.
Take Care of Yourself
At the end of the day, log off promptly and take some “me” time to relax and do what makes you happy. Take long walks with your pup, watch a sunset with a drink in hand, or share a special meal with your spouse. Learn a new hobby, support a new cause — anything that engages you.
You are important, and your health and happiness matter. It’s easy to forget that when one day bleeds into the next, but it’s true. You deserve to take care of yourself, and your family and community need you to do that, too. Find what puts a smile on your face and brings peace to your heart, and try to fit it into your schedule daily to keep burnout at bay.
When all is said and done, you can do many things to ease the adjustment to working remotely, whether you’re just getting started or still trying to figure it out. The shift might turn out to be permanent, and even if it isn’t, there’s no time like the present to make things easier on yourself and guard against burnout.
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