6 Tips to Avoid Burnout for Those Working from Home

Work from home setups have increased during the pandemic. Working from home has its benefits, such as saving time and cost from travelling to work. However, remote employees can also suffer from burnouts, and there are different causes of this, including the following:

• Difficulty focusing on work due to various distractions

• Work overload

• Tight project deadlines

• High expectations on performance

Various signs will tell that you have burnout from work, and here are some of them:

• Mood swings

• Depression or anxiety

• Difficulties sleeping

• Easily irritated

• Fatigue

• Feeling unhappy with your work

• Lower productivity

• Frequent headaches and indigestion

If you are experiencing some of these symptoms, you might be feeling burnout from your work. It’s something that you should not brush off because it could affect your work performance and your health. However, there are things that you can do to help relieve burnout from work, and we listed some of them below.

1. Make your home more relaxing

A relaxing home will help you feel better. Make your home office comfortable and functional to improve your productivity. For instance, use an office chair that is the right height and provides comfort and support for long hours of sitting. Have file cabinets or storage for keeping things organized. A clean workspace will help you think better. Keep the entire home clean, too, to keep your mind relaxed. Other things help make your place more relaxing, such as using scented candles or oil diffusers for aromatherapy.

You may also want to turn your bathroom into your private spa, so you can soak and relax at the end of the day without having to leave your home. If you don’t have a bathtub, invest in one, as it will be a huge help in preventing burnout. Walk-in baths are perfect if you have trouble getting in and out of a regular bathtub or have elderly family members in the house. Some come with features like jets that will massage the muscles of your body, thus making you feel rejuvenated. Adding plants in the bathroom and other places of the house will also instantly uplift your mood.

2. Set boundaries for personal and work time

One of the common challenges of working from home is effectively managing your work and personal time. Since you are working in the comfort of your home and time is all yours, it could be hard to set your personal time aside. It may result in a lack of focus, thus also affecting your performance and productivity. On the other hand, it may also cause you to overwork, which can lead to fatigue. Learn to set boundaries between the two. Follow your schedule to focus on your work during office hours, and spend personal time when it's the end of your shift. Since you are working from home, it is easy to lose track of time, so set the alarm if you must to ensure you stick with your work schedule and only work during that time.

To help prevent distractions, ask family members not to disturb you during work hours. Put a sign outside your door to remind them about it. Once you get off work, put down anything related to it, and spend your time to relax and unwind. You might feel the urge to keep working, but it is a recipe for burnout, so avoid doing so unless, of course, it's mission-critical.

3. Stay connected with loved ones

Working from home, combined with the pandemic, could make you feel isolated, contributing to burnout. If you are living with family members, spend fun time with them, even while at home. There are activities that you can do together, like movie nights or weekend barbeque in the backyard. If restrictions have been lifted in your area, meet friends while still following safety protocols. You can also stay connected with them through video calls and online chats. Share with them any difficulties that you may face, as they can serve as your support system. Sometimes, all you need to do is release your thoughts and feelings and have someone listen to you to let go of the burdens. You will feel recharged for work the next time once you do this.

4. Take a break

Whether working from home or at the office, you may skip your break time due to your workload or deadline. However, continuously working without any break can affect the quality of your work and your productivity. Plus, it will be easy for you to feel burnout. So take your break on time. Step outside, breathe some fresh air and stretch those muscles. You will be surprised at how a few minutes break will refresh your mind.

If you’re feeling too stressed and pressured, you may need more than just a quick break. Consider taking some time off and going on a holiday. It doesn’t have to be somewhere too far. Find a getaway destination around your area, or have a staycation at a nearby hotel. A change of scenery and a relaxing ambience will help you reset to be ready for work again.

5. Exercise

Exercising will make you healthy, which is essential to work effectively. Plus, it’s also a mood booster, so it will make you feel better. Squeeze a few minutes each day to exercise. There are home workouts that you can do, which will not require any equipment. You may also jog around the neighbourhood to release stress. The scenery outdoors is also refreshing.

6. Get help

If the burnout is due to work overload or tight deadlines, talk to your manager or supervisor and ask for help. Do not keep it to yourself and try to shoulder everything. They will not know if you don't tell them, and it will be unhealthy for you. Instead, you and your superior can devise a plan to make your work more manageable. For example, he may delegate other tasks to other employees or adjust your deadlines to make them more attainable.

If you feel or see the signs of burnout, do not ignore them. Instead, do something, so it doesn't get worse because it will affect your work, health, and personal life.

This article does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors or the management of EconoTimes