Photo by Ketut Subiyanto
Wearing pyjamas to conference calls, doing housework while concentrating on office business, and spending more time with family became the new normal. The blurring lines between home and work have made it considerably more difficult for those working from home during the epidemic to switch and recognize when we are on the verge of burnout. Nevertheless, as appealing as WFH may appear, it can lead to physical, mental, and emotional weariness induced by continuous stress. If you work from home or remotely, you may suffer the same burnout symptoms as someone working in a regular office environment.
Burnout has been linked to many physical and mental ailments, including high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, a weaker immune system, anxiety, melancholy, cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s disease, and even mortality. To alleviate these symptoms, we will look into practical techniques to deal with burnout when working from home.
Take Rest Periods –
Taking pauses may prevent work-from-home burnout from occurring. It’s one of the most effective methods for creating a timetable for yourself. Taking regular breaks is critical to avoiding burnout. Sitting in front of a computer for extended periods may be physically and psychologically taxing. Take a 10–15-minute break every hour to stretch your legs, go for a stroll, or rest. This will assist you in recharging and refreshing your thoughts. Take breaks daily to keep you focused, motivated, and productive.
Exercise Mindfulness –
Mindfulness is the discipline of being wholly present and engaged in the present moment. It can assist in relieving stress and improve overall well-being. Spend a few minutes each day practicing mindfulness. This can be accomplished by meditation, deep breathing, or just concentrating on the current moment. To start, utilize mindfulness applications such as Headspace, Calm, or Insight Timer.
Photo by EKATERINA BOLOVTSOVA
Set Boundaries –
Working longer hours, answering emails all day and night, and forsaking personal time are all too easy to slip into. Setting limits as a remote worker is critical to avoiding work-from-home burnout. This entails communicating with your colleagues and clients about your availability and absence. It will help if you have yet to make yourself available to other employees or clients during your off-hours. Working from home does not preclude you from setting boundaries for yourself. Avoid checking work emails or taking business calls outside your regular working hours.
Asking for Help –
Finally, seeking help from family, friends, or a mental health professional is critical while dealing with burnout. Burnout may negatively influence mental health, leading to anxiety, despair, and other issues. As a result, receiving help can help you manage stress, avoid burnout, and improve your general well-being.
Navigating burnoutwhen working from home is critical to preserve productivity, well-being, and work-life balance. Creating a routine, taking pauses, setting boundaries, interacting with colleagues, prioritizing self-care, practicing mindfulness, and seeking assistance all aid in the prevention of burnout and improve well-being.
Anand Subramanian is a freelance photographer and content writer based out of Tamil Nadu, India. Having a background in Engineering always made him curious about life on the other side of the spectrum. He leapt forward towards the Photography life and never looked back. Specializing in Documentary and Portrait photography gave him an up-close and personal view into the complexities of human beings and those experiences helped him branch out from visual to words. Today he is mentoring passionate photographers and writing about the different dimensions of the art world.
