Poor mental health can creep up on you when you least expect it!
Whilst working from home provides an element of comfort, you can become exhausted if you are reluctant to take a break, to recharge and refocus. Some also find it difficult to keep up with their workload if they are not regularly in contact with their colleagues and line managers. That can lead to all sorts of problems that can trigger mental and physical exhaustion, and in its extreme form, may lead to a breakdown.
How can full-time/part-time remote workers strike the right balance then between work and rest when it comes to home working?
It’s important to stay connected with your team
Checking in with your team, and making it known that you are working from home but entirely accessible, is hugely important.
The fact is working by yourself can be okay for the first few months, but if it turns into a regular arrangement, it can be isolating.
It’s so important that you take time to check in, to ensure you don’t lose track of your workload, and clearly understand the expectations that people have of you. But it’s also important on a social level. This might seem obvious, but sometimes, Facetime, Zoom, Teams and other virtual learning platforms can be less appealing and impersonal in comparison to a meeting face-to-face.
It’s a good idea to think about renting space, if it’s not possible to use a facility at your actual workplace. There are plenty of providers that rent office spaces by the hour that you can call on, say once or twice a month.
Having these regular slots in your diary, so everyone makes time for a meet up, is to be encouraged as it keeps everyone in the loop.
Establish a pattern/style of working that suits you
Whether you’re working in an office at home, at the kitchen table, in a bedroom, or on your lap in the lounge, you need to quickly establish a routine that works.
It’s important too that you’re not too rigid in the early days. Set yourself a daily timetable, with breaks built in, so you can go out into the garden, or walk around the block. Being physically away from where you work is so important when it comes to clearing your head space.
Some people like the idea of going into a hot desking facility, like at Desks by the Day, where you can physically remove yourself from home for a short period of time and work in an entirely fresh environment.
This coworking space is also an opportunity to meet up with other people from different industries. This can be good for mental health, as socialising for a few minutes a day and chatting about everyday things can make you feel much better. You might even meet up with someone that works in a similar industry to you?
Don’t be too hard on yourself
When it comes to home working, some people really go for it! One minute they might be on a Zoom call, next a phone call, then responding to emails etc. A lot of this can create pressure, and lead to a feeling of being overwhelmed. If you start to feel this way, don’t be afraid to turn your notifications/phone off, or decide, for an hour say, you are just going to get on with your work, and not do anything else. That might help to ease the momentary pressure and give you more time to get on with other priority tasks.
Start the day on a positive note!
To give you a sense of routine, why not consider starting the day with some gentle exercises – take a jog, do some breathing exercises, or even a yoga class. If you can’t find the time to do this first thing, build this in during the middle of the day.
The fact that you are home working will physically change your routine. For many office-based workers, the routine is up at 7 am, out at 8 am, in the office for 8.30. Or something similar. With home working, there is always the temptation, to be up at 8.25 am to start at 8,30 am! That’s not good for your metabolism, focus or concentration and can lead to burn out. Always make sure you’re up, dressed, fed and in the zone for your start time, and if you feel that exercise might help you to focus, do it!
Morning exercise can reenergise us creating better physical and mental health over time. It is also widely accepted that this impacts our focus, creativity, problem solving abilities and general productivity.
Set yourself small, achievable goals
If you tend to spend most of your time, without any calls, and/or contact with the outside world, set yourself a few tiny goals each day and take pride in achieving them.
A sense of achievement is hugely important to us all when it comes to mental health and wellbeing.
Maybe reward yourself for achieving 3 new customers, with something like a cream cake, or an extra coffee, and, of course, always have an eye on what your targets.
Enjoy the freedom, but manage your mind
Working from home can be both a happy and mentally difficult thing. How it affects us depends on our personal circumstances. If we love our home, and are happy working there, that’s great. If home life isn’t easy and you find yourself working in a small space, or alongside others that can distract you, leading to under-achievement and stress, that’s not so good.
Organise your day, reward yourself for achievement, and break up your routine and geography by booking out a hot desking space a few times a week.
All these things can support your new way of working, leading to better mental health and wellbeing.
We are desksbytheday.com – a modern venue provider for all your hot desking and meeting room hire requirements.
To find out more about Desks by the Day or to book a meeting room, office or hot desk click here or contact us.