Working remotely, as an experience is pretty fantastic. The biggest perk of working remotely is the flexibility it offers. You are not bound to think about your commute. You may listen to songs whenever you want to, wear your favorite clothes or kick your leg up even as you do your work.
It has its flip side too, which most of us really never acknowledged until the coronavirus pandemic knocked on our doorsteps. Working remotely can be pretty tiring too. You have no reason to go outside, and there is no one literally to push you to work like no colleagues and no boss, you lack that human contact. The situation is fragile, and if you don’t pay due diligence then, it ends in burnout. Following are some tips that you may want to employ and have a good balance of work and life:
Always have a schedule
Flexibility, which is a major selling point of working remotely. That too has its offside. The flexibility to work from home can sometimes be the reason for your stress. It sometimes feels like you need to be available and be online all the time. This can be even more distressing if you are working on a different schedule than your team. Therefore, having a schedule will take you a long way. It will not only let your colleagues know exactly when they can and can not reach you but also gives you the space to plan things outside work. If the work still comes up outside your scheduled working hours, it could be a clear indication for you to review your work time and then tweak it accordingly.
Have a work-only zone
It is extremely important to choose an ambient work-exclusive zone at your place. Contrary to popular belief, your home can be a lot more distracting than working from your office. Since there are no colleagues or bosses to constantly motivate you to work. You have more things to distract you in the comfort of your room than the range of things you could do in your office.
Working from a clutter-free space in your home can be a lot more beneficial. Could be any space, your home office, a desk, or a separate lobby of your apartment building. Make sure the space that you are using is not the same, probably where you have your play station attached or the couch which you use to binge watch sitcoms. Rather, choose a spot where you are productive and keep that space a bit separate so that you can unplug from work when you are done.
Make plans for after work hours
A huge set back of working from a remote location is that after a point you feel trapped in your space because you have no reason to step out. Even after you have shut down your laptop, you just feel tired. The key here is to have a plan in place after you’re done. It doesn’t necessarily have to be an outdoor plan. If you have a plan you subconsciously know that you have something after work to look up to. It could be a meet up with your friends, going to the gym for a workout, or maybe going for a happy hour drink. Make sure you stick to the plan that you made and you be at the place at the end of your workday.
Get ready the same way you do when you’re going to the office
Another plus side of working from remote locations is that you do not have to think about your commute to work and nor you have to rush the same way you do when you work in the office. Instead of dedicating the time that you used to in traveling, get ready for the day like you normally would. That way you will prepare yourself mentally for work and be productive. Otherwise, when you aren’t on your work desk, you are less tempted to take it easy by doing everything but the work you are required to.
Eat proper lunch and never forget to take a walk
Personally, for me, the kitchen is the biggest impediment that keeps me from working for long hours. I tend to feel hungry all the time and end up being in the kitchen in no time. So, take those 30 minutes, have proper lunch the same you do at work. This way you will nourish yourself and recharge for the rest of your afternoon.
Try taking a small walk to maybe in the nearest park, take a little dose of Vitamin D that nature has to offer. No matter wherever you go you will eventually energized and ready to tackle the rest of your to-do list when you return back to your desk
