The shift to remote work has blurred the lines between professional and personal life, making work-life balance a crucial yet challenging goal. I personally have been working remotely for some time and had a tough grasp on balancing my life around the house and my life in my home office. If you could draw a Venn diagram of my situation, you'd get why it's a mess.
Fret not! In this blog, we explore five proven and effective strategies to help remote workers achieve a healthier work-life balance, with real-life examples to guide you. An element of psychology plays a big part here!
1. Establish Clear Boundaries:
Set specific work hours and stick to them. This means logging off when your workday ends. For example, Sarah, a freelance graphic designer, strictly follows a 9-5 schedule. She turns off her work computer and notifications post-5 PM to spend time with her family, signaling the end of her workday. I personally adopt this method and incorporate psychology to the mix as well. Here's how I do it:
I wake up, get ready as I would as if I was going out to work, and get dressed in my full working attire. This makes a vast difference in staring the day as my mind sees no bounds when I carry over my sleep attire to the home office and my sloppiness comes with it. Then, I start work by segmenting the tasks I want to get done in the day and allocate timeslots for them. Like how I'm writing my blog and maintaining the website right now! Then, I end my day and take my mind off the day-to-day mental bustles.
2. Create a Dedicated Workspace:
Having a designated area for work can mentally separate 'work mode' from 'home mode'. Take Mike, an IT consultant, who converted a small section of his living room into an office space. This physical boundary helps him switch off from work once he steps out of that space. It does not have to be a particularly big space either, you could also make your bedroom desk your work station as well. Just remember that there are boundaries and your work shall not be carried over to the bed.
3. Incorporate Regular Breaks:
Short, regular breaks can prevent burnout. Apps like 'Time Out' or 'Stretchly' remind you to take breaks. When I'm writing, I take a 5-minute break every hour to stretch or grab a coffee, keeping keeping myself refreshed throughout the day across different tasks including this one. It really get's me out of my "writer's block". Sometimes, I would even meditate with some guides on YouTube that brings my attention back to where I need to be.
As a Buddhist, I find relaxing Buddhism-centric meditations to be very soothing as well. Whatever your religion, it doesn't hurt to crack out a prayer too.
4. Prioritize Your Health:
Exercise, meditation, and a balanced diet are essential. Personally, I go to the gym as many times a week as I can. There are many research papers out there that proves that exercise releases "happy hormones" in our brain which boosts optimism and positivity of our thoughts. Making decision making processes a lot more effective. Also, I have body dysmorphia so I can't afford to spend too many days away from the gym.
5. Stay Connected Socially:
Regular video calls and virtual hangouts can reduce feelings of isolation. Always feel free to check in on some friends or have regular calls with your teammates. If you're in a relationship, all the better! You and your partner can rant to one another which really takes the load off your mind as well. I would sometimes call my sister to talk about our day and have some fun while we're at it.
Embracing Flexibility for a Balanced Life
Adopting these strategies can significantly improve your work-life balance as a remote worker. Remember, it's about finding what works best for you and being flexible in your approach. Whatever it is, there is always room for some fun! I'm not going to suggest much on what kinds of fun you can have, but let your mind run wild and keep it to yourself.
We'd love to hear from you! How do you maintain work-life balance while working remotely? Share your tips in the comments below.