The Covid19 situation has brought a lot of changes to different industries. A lot of companies have to close down because they can no longer conduct business. For the others that are lucky enough to still be able to operate, they have to consider work from home arrangements. At the beginning, this set up seems to be a breather for some. It made people excited about a new environment and new opportunities. However, there are a lot of challenges that may come with this arrangement.
There are different setbacks that can be observed when you have been working at home for a long time now. Firstly, you will realize that there is no longer a division between your job and your leisure time. Aside from that, there is no physical interaction between you and your co-employees and your boss. This is something that may cause some misunderstandings. Work from home set up can also cause unhealthy change in lifestyle and it can bring a lot of distractions.
Some people find the work from home arrangement more stressful. This is most especially when you find yourself in between your responsibilities at home and your job. Lack of leisure and relaxation is another thing that can cause stress. This may lead to less productive days. With that, aside from considering mindfulness, you have to consider some measures to help you maintain productivity even while you work from home.
Here are some tips from Zenfulspirit for maintaining productivity and managing stress while you work from home:
Don’t forget to give yourself a break
One of the problems you may encounter as you work from home is having tons of work that needs to be accomplished. This is different from the office setting where everything can be set in a way that things will always be accessible. In a work from home set up, you will find a list of things that needs to be done and may find it overwhelming.
All of these changes may add up to your stress. This is the reason why you always have to consider giving yourself a break. This is only possible when you are able to create a plan for the whole day. In planning, do not forget to give yourself the lunch break and the coffee break that you deserve. Treat it like you are still in the office. After all, your body also needs to rest once in a while.
Set a routine and stick to it
Another problem that you may find very challenging and sticking to a routine. If you are a parent and you need to work from home, you will find that there are some tasks that just pop up. There are some unplanned errands. These may have an effect to your productivity. With this, you have to consider having a routine and sticking to it. The best way to be able to do this is to let the whole family know about what you need to do. This way, they can adjust and you will also be able to stick to your routine.
Learn about boundaries
Stress is sometimes caused by one’s inability to say no and to set a boundary. It is very tempting to work after hours when you are at home. This is one of the risks of not being monitored. Since your boss is not around, you may find yourself working so hard until dinner time or even until weekends. This is not only going to cause stress but it can also be a reason for some unexplained exhaustion. With this, you have to make sure that there is boundary between your work and your life with your family. Always make sure to know when to stop. Give your children and your family the attention they deserve. Reserve weekends for leisure and for personal reflection. This is one of the best ways on how you can recuperate from stress.
Learn to prioritize and organize
Always ask yourself about the most important thing that must be done for the day. Start the day with a plan in mind. Make a list of the things you need to accomplish. After that, start with the most important one. This way, you will be able to put your fresh energy on what needs it the most. There are some tasks that you can do easily. Put them next and make sure to stick to the list that you have written.
You will realize that being organize will not only lessen the stress but can also make you feel more accomplished. This is because you have a clear view of the things that must be done, and you are able to do them one by one. Prioritizing also means being able to identify the needs of the moment. There are times when your family has to come first. Do not forget to be there for them. They should always be part of your to do list.
Exercise and eat right
Now that you stay at home most of the time, there is a tendency that there will be a shift in your lifestyle. It is so tempting to eat just any food while you are working alone. It is also a challenge to really do some exercises. You may find your home to be very comfortable and this is something that can affect your habits. With this, you have to ensure that you still have time for a workout routine. You can exercise early in the morning before you start your day or you can do it before you go to sleep.
Eating healthy is another thing that will certainly keep things in balance. Now that the pandemic has been causing a lot of alarm even to people who are just at home, you have to consider strengthening your immune system. Being healthy is also one of the ways on how you can maintain productivity. Your system needs to be nourished. This is one of the best ways on how you can easily work. Your brain depends on the condition of your body.
Working from home may be a challenge for some people but it provides a great opportunity for you to be with your family. There may be some setbacks but it is a great experience.
