Easy to follow work from home tips to avoid burnout

Working from home used to be such a joy before Covid-19 hit the world. It would allow employees sleep in, as commute was no longer an issue, they could wear their comfy clothes and do their chores whenever they found some time during the day.

During the pandemic, what started off as a short term, god-sent gift to most employees, might now be turning into a nightmare that could potentially cause them a proper burnout.

What are the symptoms of a work from home burnout, what are the causes and what should employees be careful of when spending a lot of time at home?

What are the causes of a work from home burnout?

• Longer working hours
  According to research, employees work approximately 3 extra hours per day since the pandemic started and began to work from home. The reason behind this is that a) there is no commute and b) they feel they don’t have a valid reason for being unavailable, as there’s nowhere to go anyway.
• Loneliness
  By loneliness, we mean the absence of a supportive environment, people who understand the job and the difficulties involved. Employees are sometimes faced with various issues related to their day to day tasks and they’re not able to discuss those face to face with their colleagues. This can lead to loss of the sense of community, an element which heavily exists in an office environment.
• Lack of creativity and inspiration
  This could be considered as a result of the point made above in regards to loneliness. Lack of communication and contact with the rest of the world can lead to a severe lack of creativity and inspiration. Sitting at home all day doesn’t allow employees to think outside the box and unleash their creative minds. Brainstorming sessions involving various people from around the office are now happening online which means it’s harder to organize them and are ultimately less effective than face to face ones.

Tips for working from home effectively and maintaining balance

The key to avoid or at least minimize such work from home problems is to maintain a work-life balance.

• Stick to regular working hours
  Whether you’ve made personal plans or not, you should try and stick to your regular working hours to avoid overworking yourself and ultimately a burnout. Inform your colleagues that you will be finishing work at a certain time and if they have any questions or require information you will get back to them the next day. Of course, if something is urgent, act as you would on a regular day in the office. Use the evening for self-care activities, relaxation or spending time with loved ones. The next day you’ll start work feeling refreshed and calm.
• Take breaks
  Breaks are a great way to recharge during the day. Avoid eating lunch and working at the same time, take a proper break. If possible, consider going out for a short walk, or sit by the window to get some fresh air. You’ll be surprised how much better this will make you feel.
• Create an inspiring office space at home
  Just because you’re at home doesn’t mean that you should work from your bed or the couch. Create a dedicated office space in your home, to add inspiration and structure to your daily routine.
• Communicate openly with your colleagues and managers
  If something is troubling you or if you need something, simply ask. During these challenging times it’s important to maintain healthy and open communication to ensure your well-being.

Work from home problems can really affect the well-being and mental health of employees. For employers, it’s important to encourage their employees follow these work from home tips and make them feel like they’re not alone. A company is a community where everyone should feel safe and able to express themselves.

Photo source: Pixabay