Research by Owl Labs and Global Workplace Analytics shows that 74% of employees feel happier when they work from home.
Yes, it is true that remote work is the new normal for many professionals around the world. It offers flexibility and freedom, but it also comes with challenges, especially when you have to maintain a healthy balance between your personal life and professional life.
If you don’t set boundaries, it can cause stress and burnout. So, we are here to share some productivity tips that will help you protect your well-being.
What Is Work-Life Balance
Work-life balance means giving the right amount of time to your job and to the things that matter in your personal life, like family, friends, or hobbies.
When work takes up too much of your time and energy, there is often little left for other important parts of your life.
Many people try to find a better balance between work and personal time, but it is not always easy. Still, it is very important. A good balance can help you feel more relaxed, healthy, and happy. It can help your:
- Body
- Emotions
- Mind
Research from NIH shows that working too many hours can associate with higher risk of stroke and heart disease; links with diabetes inconclusive.
Work-Life Balance Tips
A healthy work-life balance means focusing on what matters most to you. Here are some simple tips to help you keep your work and personal life in harmony.
- Make a Daily Schedule and Follow It
When you work from home, it is easy to feel like you should always be online. This kind of flexibility can sometimes make it hard to keep a balance between work and personal life.
To avoid that, you have to set a clear work schedule and stick to it. This helps both you and your team. Your team will know when they can contact you, and you will have time to:
- Take care of yourself
- Relax
- Enjoy your day
- Plan personal activities
- Keep a steady sleep routine
Now, if you find yourself working earlier or later than the time you have planned, that might be a sign that you need to adjust your hours. You have to make sure you still leave time to relax and take care of yourself.
- Use Personal Tasks as Breaks During the Day
One nice thing about working from home is that you can often get more done because there is no:
- Commuting
- Office noise
- Constant interruptions
But working alone all day can sometimes feel boring or lonely. You might even feel like you can not take a break.
To balance your work and personal life, you can use personal tasks to break up your day. For example, you can do small chores when you need a short break from your computer, like:
- Putting in the laundry
- Tidying up
- Doing the dishes
- Making A Meal
- A Coffee break
This way, you can step away from work for a bit and get things done around the house.
- Work in a Space Separate from the Rest of Your Home
No doubt, working at home is more distracting than working in an office. There are many things at home that can pull your attention away.
For example, if you work on the couch where you usually watch TV, you might end up watching shows instead of working. Or if you work at the dining table that has laundry on it, you might start folding clothes instead of doing your job.
You can avoid this; what you have to do is set up a clean, organized space that you use only for work. This can be a:
- Home office
- Desk in a quiet corner,
- Spot in your building’s lobby
Pick a place where you can focus, and try to keep it separate from the areas where you relax.
- Don’t Overthink About Perfection
It is good to aim for doing your best, but no one is perfect, and no one can be. So, you don’t have to be perfect, especially when you are trying to balance work and personal life while working from home.
At home, you might not have everything you’re used to in the office. You may not have all your:
- Files
- Printer
- Scanner
Instead of worrying, just try your best with the resources you have. This small change in how you think can make a big difference.
- Set Boundaries
Setting boundaries helps you manage your time well.
It’s also important to let others know about these boundaries. For example, if you can’t reply to emails quickly in the evening because you’re spending time with your family, let your team know.
Work boundaries are usually categorized into three groups:
- Physical boundaries
- Emotional boundaries
- Time boundaries
You can create small boundaries first and then build on them over time.
Conclusion
Remote work no doubt has many benefits, like flexibility and comfort, but it also brings new challenges, especially when you have to keep a healthy lifestyle balance.
So, next time you WFH, what are you going to do? Create a daily routine, take meaningful breaks, and set up a proper workspace.
By following these simple tips, you can enjoy both your work and your personal life.
FAQs
Q1: Is remote work better for work-life balance?
Ans: Remote work can provide a better quality of life for many employees, like increased productivity and reduced stress.
Q2: How can you maintain a work-life balance while working remotely?
Ans: Throughout the workday, regular lunches and breaks are taken to rest and rejuvenate. The worker establishes limits on communication about work after hours and refrains from checking email frequently. Regular exercise and upholding a healthy lifestyle are given time.
