Pre-COVID, working remotely had its benefits and challenges. However, working from home in this current pandemic climate is a whole different ball game. It’s not like there was nothing like burnout before coronavirus. It’s just that those activities we rely on to mitigate suffering burnout from remote working may no longer be possible because of the various restriction measures in place.
As a keynote speaker on mindful workplace culture, work-life balance, and preventing burnout, I’ve had to make modifications to my lectures to reflect the current climate we are living in. You should also make the following changes.
Maintaining Boundaries Between Work and Home Life
Just because you may be at home 24/7 doesn’t mean you have to work the whole day. A clear separation between business and personal hours is non- negotiable.
Begin by establishing when the day’s work starts and ends. Also, make time for breaks and meals. Set boundaries and stick to them. Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is vital to being an effective worker.
Take Breaks While Working
It doesn’t help that workplace culture has turned a lot of us into people who feel they have let others down when they ask for a break. Hear it now, there’s absolutely nothing to feel guilty about.
When it’s break time, stop all work-related activities and use the time for relaxation. Do those things you’d normally do if you’re not worrying about work. Take a walk or play with the dog. Just take quality time off so that you freshen up your day. That’s how you stay motivated and productive.
Maintain Positive Relationships With Colleagues
Before the pandemic, one of the effective ways in which remote workers maintained social and professional connections was by going outdoors. Not being in the same room with your colleagues from work doesn’t mean your relationships should be neglected.
Meetings with colleagues as you would with friends are equally as important. Quick lunch, coffee dates, game nights, or enrolling in an in-person networking class are just some of the activities you can engage in to maintain a positive relationship with your colleagues.
But with the present social distancing measures in place, remote professionals must find alternative ways to connect. Virtual meetings and engaging in outdoor activities while taking the necessary precautions are essential to dealing with the challenges that come with being denied human association.
Practice Mindfulness to Stay Focused and Productive
Certainly, the mind is an amazing tool. Almost limitless. However, one of our biggest obstacles to getting things done is the distraction of the mind. As our minds keep reminding us of many tasks we need to handle, we lose focus on the tasks at hand. Sadly, the mind processes things faster than our body can manage. Since our minds wander and our thoughts take over our actions, we
must practice better mindfulness techniques to increase productivity.
Meditation is the first natural step. It helps slow the mind and remain conscious of our thoughts. It helps us respond to these thoughts and process them the right way. Also, train yourself to be able to sit in silence and sense your environment. Noticing the simple details like your co-workers discussing or the smell of coffee on the table can help bring you back to the present when you wander in your thoughts.
Gratitude is a very power way to help us come to a more positive mindset. Take a minute to think of a few positive things that are happening in your life at the moment and the people that have been encouraging and supportive. This practice can uplift your mood and can provide the necessary boost and inspiration to get through the day.