The option to work remotely is one of the better things that came from the year 2020. It opened doors for people from all over the world to coordinate and work with one another. It also made life much more hassle-free for those with kids or other obligations they have at home. Not only does it eliminate any time wasted during the commute to work, but it also allows individuals to have a certain level of autonomy and freedom over the way they get their work done. This further emphasises the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance in this new work landscape.
Working remotely can be greatly beneficial but it can at times be difficult to sustain a healthy work-life balance, especially if your work lies where you sleep as well. It’s important to create routines and habits in order to not only maximize your efficiency in working from home but also do so in the healthiest way possible. The following is a list of habits you should consider incorporating into your daily routine in order to work remotely in the most efficient way possible.
Wake Up at the Same Time Daily
Do you ever wake up with a million thoughts racing through your mind? It’s as though we wake up feeling like we’re already behind on time. This is why it’s important to wake up at least a good hour before your work starts. It will give you time to ease into the day instead of rushing into it with a cluttered mind.
Waking up at the same time daily may feel a little rough for the first few days, especially if it’s earlier than you’re used to. However, after those few days, your natural body clock will begin to get used to waking up at the same time and you will start waking up feeling refreshed and ready to cease the day every morning!
Organize To-Do List For Work-Life Balance
Looking over your to-do list and keeping it up to date every morning is not only a valuable practice for staying organized but also plays a crucial role in maintaining a healthy work-life balance. This habit ensures you stay on top of your work, avoid missing deadlines, and, importantly, helps reduce stress and overwhelm by providing clarity on when tasks are due.
Consistent Morning Routine
Morning routines do not have to be as extensive as you may believe. It can be as simple as waking up at the same time every day, making your bed, meditation, washing your face to freshen up and drinking a cup of tea while going over your plans for the day. Having a consistent morning routine is key to starting the day on the right foot as it brings in a sense of purpose and intention first thing in the morning. It also helps quiet the mind and gives you some time to once again, ease into your day.
Nutritious Breakfast
Did you know your blood sugar levels decrease when you skip a meal, making it difficult to think straight? When working from home, many often neglect their diet. They wake up, make a cup of coffee and go straight to their computers. In doing so, they risk being fatigued and in turn, risk not working as efficiently as they could be. Eating a nutritious breakfast will fuel you with the energy you need to work with maximum efficiency.
The 15 Minute Rule
Working from home can be freeing yet dangerous, especially considering your boss isn’t monitoring your every move. For this reason, it can be easy to fall into a pit of procrastination. If you’re someone who gets distracted easily but wants to fix your procrastination habits, you should try the 15-minute rule.
It’s as straightforward as it sounds. All you have to do is time yourself and work for 15 minutes straight. If you wish to take a break after the 15-minute period, go ahead. However, chances are, by the time you reach the 15-minute mark, you will have given yourself just enough time to truly get engrossed in your work. You’ll find yourself wanting to extend the time limit, working beyond just 15 minutes. This is a simple way to trick your brain into focusing on a certain task. Don’t worry about how long the work will take, just focus on the first 15 minutes and the rest will flow.
Getting Some Fresh Air
Staying at home and staring at your screen for hours on end can be quite damaging to both your eyes as well as your overall well-being. Given that you are no longer commuting to work on a daily basis, you must intentionally take time out of your week to leave the house and get some fresh air. Take a break at your local park once in a while.
Face-to-Face Communication
With Zoom calls replacing in-person meetings, you may be tempted to keep your camera off so that you don’t have to worry about changing your attire. However, this makes for a much less personal experience and may lead you to end up feeling disconnected from your colleagues. It’s important to keep a sense of culture alive within the workforce, otherwise, things can start feeling quite robotic. Try turning on your camera once in a while, you’ll notice your coworkers’ faces light up immediately.
Look Good, Feel Good
Speaking of turning cameras on, chances are you may not be doing so because you’re still in your pyjamas or in that favourite oversized hoodie of yours. Although working from home does come with the comfort of dressing how you want, we still recommend throwing on a shirt you would wear if you were attending work in person. What this does is it shifts your mindset into feeling more professional which in turn will help you stay more alert throughout the day and may even reflect on the quality of your work.
Your Voice Matters
Another temptation during virtual meetings can be to keep your mic on mute throughout the entirety of the meeting. What you may not realize, however, is that in holding back your input, you are also holding back your team. At the end of the day, you are also a part of the organization and your voice matters equally as much as everyone else’s. Don’t be afraid to unmute once in a while to chime in and share your ideas!
Unwind For Work-Life Balance
Once it’s past that 5 o’clock mark (or whatever time your shift ends), silence your notifications and turn off any tabs related to work. Overworking your brain will only affect the quality of your work in the long run. Remember to take the time to rest so you can come back even stronger the next day!
In summary, prioritizing your work-life balance is key to success in remote work. By establishing routines and effective habits, you can harmonize your professional and personal life. Remember, a balanced work-life not only boosts productivity but also fosters overall well-being in today’s remote work landscape.
