Remote and hybrid working have advantages and disadvantages, but with a little foresight, you can … [+]
A recent article in The Atlantic claims that America’s fever of workaholism is finally breaking for the rich, who are buying more free time. Unfortunately, that’s not the case for the average American worker. Now that remote and hybrid work are becoming the new normal, employees face new challenges along with the advantages. Chronic work stress no longer exists solely in the office. In one study, 48% of remote workers said they were struggling to disconnect from work, burning the midnight oil. This trend has led to nearly half of the workforce feeling burned out—conditions detrimental to productivity and job satisfaction.
If you work at home, you’re in your personal space, not your usual professional environment, with your personal and professional worlds under one roof. The upside is you have greater flexibility, but the downside is your personal life can bleed into your workday. Laundry needs to be done, dishes washed and the house cleaned. Plus, maybe you want to see The View since you’re always at the office when it’s on, or there’s a good movie on Netflix you’ve been longing to watch. Your pooch needs to go for a walk or you want to snuggle with him. And a family member keeps yelling questions from another room, causing you to keep losing your train of thought. Or on the flip side, maybe when you’re working from home 24/7, you find yourself toiling overtime on the job long after you would have called it quits at the office. On top of it all, cabin fever could be sneaking up on you.
10 Tips To Find Remote Work-Life Balance
For these reasons, remote workers encounter challenges not ordinarily faced in the office. So if you work from home, there are ten points to keep top of mind to maximize your work productivity and balance personal demands.
A Wrap-Up On Remote Work-Life Balance
Chronic job stress doesn’t exist solely in an office environment. It’s present when you’re working remotely, too. Watch your mind and notice where it goes from moment-to-moment. Notice the difference in your concentration, energy level and productivity after a five-minute Microchiller. “Create a different space outside of work and home that’s yours only—book club, painting studio, dance class, whatever it is that you enjoy,” advises Dr. Zelana Montminy, author of 21 Days to Resilience, “Make sure it’s a place or activity that you love so much that you forget where you are, so that you’re in the flow of that moment and that it’s not related to your career or your family.” As you blend self-care, structure and remote work, you’ll prevent job stress from diminishing your personal life and find balance in the new hybrid work world.
This content was originally published here.
