Tips to Find Work-Life Balance When Remote Working

Remote working can be full of benefits. From flexibility to a schedule that suits your lifestyle, it gives you more freedom in your personal life while still bringing in income.

However, with this vast sense of freedom, some people struggle to set boundaries and achieve work-life balance. The non-traditional office hours and lack of human contact can make it feel like all you ever do is work alone.

If you're not taking regular breaks to leave the office, or you're feeling the pressures of isolation, you may need a work from home intervention. This guide will provide you with five great tips that can help you strike a healthy work-life balance.

1) Set Yourself a Schedule

The flexibility to work from anywhere may seem like the ideal situation to many people. However, this benefit also comes with an increased sense of responsibility, with it sometimes feeling as if you need to be online and available 24/7.

What's more, if your schedule is different from the rest of your team, you may find yourself struggling to maintain a work-life and personal life.

If you work remotely, it's a good idea to create a schedule and stick to it. Set yourself a morning routine, take a lunch break, and set aside 5 minutes here and there to recharge.

Not only will this be helpful for your team, as they'll know when you’re available, but it will also enable you to create a sense of structure in your life. You'll be able to tell friends and family exactly when you're free and plan your activities around your working hours.

This structure and time management will also allow you to wake up and go to bed at the same time each day. Getting enough sleep is incredibly important, as it can increase productivity.

2) Exercise Regularly

Related to the last point, making time to exercise should be a priority for everyone. If you work from home, it's especially important.

Understandably, when life takes over and responsibilities pile up, many people neglect to give their bodies the workout they need.

However, regular exercising is beneficial in numerous ways. It helps to reduce stress, increase endorphins, and improve your overall mental health.

Take at least 15 minutes out of your day for a small workout. Whether it's a simple walk around the block, a short yoga routine, or a 15-minute cardio session, you will feel much better mentally after you've done it, and your body will feel rejuvenated and ready to conquer the working day.

3) Set Up a Proper Home Office

Creating a schedule also comes with setting up a proper space in your home to work remotely. Having a designated home office will help you separate work and home, alongside guaranteeing a productive day.

Remote workers know that the home environment can be distracting. It is another reason why it is vital to separate yourself from your living quarters. Readily available procrastination tools such as TV, iPads, mobile phones, your bed, and even the fridge are at your fingertips when you work from home. These distractions can make for an unproductive work environment, leading to a lack of motivation.

When creating your designated workspace, allow for plenty of room for notepads and other working essentials. Ensure your desk is neat and clutter-free, as this can subconsciously cause stress and low productivity levels.

Most importantly, make sure the home office looks distinct from the rest of the home. That way, you can leave the office when working hours are over and step back into your personal life.

4) Clock Off on Time

When your living room is only next door, sometimes it can be hard to tear yourself away from your desk after a day's work. With mindsets such as "I might as well finish this tonight" and “I don't have to get up as early as office workers”, it can make for an unhealthy work ethic. You can end up spending more time working than those who commute.

If this sounds like you, take some time to judge your levels of productivity. Don't think about the hours you have spent working at your desk. Instead, think about how long it took you to achieve great targets and results.

If you are spending more time working, just because you are at home, set boundaries. Give yourself a specific ‘go home’ time, ensuring you stick to it each night.

Work-life balance is all about creating a typical working environment and sticking to it. Instead of working away into the night, you'll find that clocking off at a reasonable time will allow you to stay productive the next day.

5) Don't Forget to Socialize

Studies show that to maintain a strong sense of well-being, humans need at least 5-7 hours of socialization per day.

When it comes to working from home, it's easy to become more introverted, as you may spend time alone all day. However, just because your working hours are at home, it doesn't mean you can't reach out to your colleagues during the day.

Why not schedule the same lunch break with a friend and catch up via video call? This will not only improve your mood and mental health, but it will also make you feel less alone when working.

Enjoy Your Remote Working Life

By implementing these tips into your daily working routine, you'll be sure to get the most out of home working. By finding a work and life balance, you'll be able to leave the office behind you and enjoy a healthy, positive life.

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