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The year 2021 was full of uncertainties and distress. The pandemic taught some valuable lessons for life. This includes the value of having good mental and physical health and being compassionate towards others.
While the entire world reeled under the pressures of COVID 19, people were challenged to build resilience and positive changes in their life to cope.
One challenge that most of us had to adapt to was the new normal of Working From Home. Almost every business organization that could shift its operation online did so. While individuals welcomed the move initially, they slowly found out that this was not as convenient as they had first imagined it to be.
Rising pressures, no set working timelines, and failure to dutifully carry out familial responsibilities soon emerged. With companies piling on the force, professionals were unable to strike a healthy work-life balance as they had when they were working from their offices.
In this resource article, we will offer constructive tips on how you can strike a healthy work-life balance while working from home.
First, A Few Things To Keep In Mind
Change is always complicated, and it doesn’t always go as planned. The following points will help you understand what we refer to when we speak of a healthy work-life balance while WFH. If you are suffering from any of the points we will mention, you need to take action.
- Is working from home tiring you out? In other words, is there a sense of fatigue that is creeping in into your daily life? If yes, you will notice that your work productivity will slowly diminish. This can cause chaos in your professional reputation.
- Is working from home making you sick? One of the most accessible tell-tale signs is noticing how often you are catching a cold or are suffering from a stomach problem. Digestion and body immunity is the most commonly compromised markers of WFH.
- Is working from home leaving you with no time for your friends or family? Many professionals have pointed out that they cannot spend time with people they love and care about. With no set login and log out times, social interactions suffer.
Don’t Force Yourself Too Hard While Working From Home
Before you can start striking a healthy balance in your life, you must understand that you cannot bring changes in your personal and professional life by force.
The more you force yourself to adapt to the new WFH changes, the more you will feel its burden. To strike a healthy balance, you need encouragement or reward. These two things motivate a person to work better and be good at what they do.
Striking A Balance During WFH Takes Time & Effort
Do not expect that things will become normalized after a point in time. No. You will have to intentionally and consciously take action for it to happen. Setting proper timelines, getting into hobbies, and spending time with your friends will all help you.
If you have started drinking more or consuming drugs to ‘manage stress’, you know what we are talking about. Several news reports and studies have shown how a reclusive attitude towards working from home can encourage addiction. For that, you must start taking addiction treatment and need to ensure that you stay the way you are after the treatment is completed.
Working From Home Does Not Suit Everybody And Everyone
That’s true!
While some professionals have taken to WFH as a fish takes to water, others are eager to return to the office. The strategies you adopt are different, along with the expectations that you are setting. The mental and psychological conditions of two individuals are never the same. This is why striking a healthy balance is not the same for everyone.
Tips for Better Work-Life Balance While Working Remotely
Striking a healthy work-life balance can make us happier and more successful. But only a few of us follow through with this. Perhaps committing to something that can completely change our life feels overwhelming.
Hence, instead of fusing on making considerable changes in your daily life, try focusing on small steps. Start moving forward with these changes that are so small and easy to implement that it will almost feel natural.
1. Delegate Tasks
If you’re a business owner who’s working from home, then chances are you know how important it is to delegate tasks. But one major mistake would be the fact that a lot of entrepreneurs just don’t do it. Why? It’s usually due to something needing to be done their way, which immediately means there is a lack of trust. However, it could also be for other reasons, such as being too frugal to choose to outsource work. In general, no matter what industry you’re in, it’s vital to know that delegating and outsourcing work is perfectly acceptable. Giving people and companies a chance to do their specialty, such as the group Kohana Media – Plastic Surgery SEO can help you out. Allowing people to do their specialty will instantly mean you have time and space to do your specialty.
2. Program Your Mind To Stay Positive
Start your day by recharging your thoughts with motivation and self-encouragement. This will help you program your mind to stay positive throughout the day.
No matter what problem you face in your work, it would help if you kept a positive bent of mind. There will be multiple challenges, but if you keep stressing, you will lose half the battle before it even starts.
3. Don’t Over Commit To Work All The Time
One of the everyday things that we find disturbing is how people prioritize work over everything else. This is why you need to make room for other healthier things in your life. Experts recommend that you exercise or have ample sleep.
But, we all know it is easier said than done. Hence, do not overcommit to your work goals all the time. Call it a day according to a set timeline. Do things that are not work-related post that. Spend time with family, watch a movie, go outside to have dinner, or meet up with friends.
4. Replace Your WFH Complains With Gratitude
WFH isn’t easy – Accept it.
So, no matter how good you are at your work, you will face unreasonable expectations. In other words, while working from home, you are bound to face challenges. This is the time that will test your mental fortitude.
No matter what your work brings to the table, never complain about it. The moment you start complaining, you will start getting stressed. Instead, try to be grateful that you were able to live your life continue with regular income at a time when so many others were suffering.
5. You’re Different, Stop Comparing Yourself To Others While WFH
Every professional person is different, built differently, perceives things differently, and shows emotion at different levels. So, why do you compare yourself with others? This will not only reduce your self-confidence, but also you consider yourself beneath others subconsciously.
Some people will excel at WFH. They might not have family members or responsibilities to take care of. Never compare yourself with others, as you are unaware of their vantage point.
6. Talk Back To Your WFH Negative Thoughts
This is interesting, and sometimes people might think you are a nutcase.
Everyone has two sides to their personality – One that thinks about others and the others that feels about yourself. While both have a significant role to play, you must never allow your negative side to dominate the positive.
Post the talk, make sure to act on specific areas that are positive. For example, if you start feeling you are ignoring your partner, make sure that you consciously make things that will make them happy- dinner, takeout, romantic movie night, etc. Talk back to your negative thoughts and make them know they are not in charge here; you are.
7. Drop The Word ‘Should’ From Your Dictionary
This ‘Should’ word has quite an influence on your life. You have heard others that you SHOULD work hard while working from home. That you should complete your deadlines like someone else does and so on.
However, while you are asked to do something, you must ask yourself –
- How does that make you feel
- Do you feel better?
- Is it necessary for you?
- Do they know you better than you know yourself?
– And act accordingly!
8. Wear a WFH Outfit That Makes You Feel Great
Wearing attire that you like makes you feel complete and boosts your self-confidence. You will walk down the road feeling more confident. You would be amazed to see how this simple change in your life can switch your brain’s feel-good feeling.
The brain sends us several signals, and wearing a great WFH outfit might be able to do the trick for you. Ditch the pyjamas and tees for something more formal and professional. Get your work clothes dry cleaned and start wearing them. You will automatically start feeling more empowered and skilled.
The Bottom Line
You must stop taking your mental and physical health for granted and start taking action towards a healthy lifestyle by incorporating positive changes.
While WFH is important, it can never substitute for every other aspect of your life. By following the points mentioned in the article, you can hope to strike a healthy work-life balance during WFH.
If you have any questions or queries that you would like us to discuss on the topic, please let us know in the comments below.
