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By Micah Norris, King ROM
It’s no secret that the popularity of working from home is on the rise. Studies suggest that 32% of the workforce in Canada works from the comfort of their house or apartment. Though a lot of people find the work-from-home lifestyle more productive and more conducive to a better work-life balance, many others struggle with burnout. According to Talent Canada, a recent survey found that 80% of employees who are currently working from home are experiencing burnout. The article further suggests this might be in part due to the fact employees report that they’re working longer hours, making it more difficult to achieve a healthy work-life balance.
If you’re feeling exhausted at the end of each day and struggling to focus on your work (and your mental health), you’re not alone, and you shouldn’t simply accept those feelings of exhaustion. Here are a few tips from Amplify Career Services to help you overcome and prevent work-from-home burnout once and for all.
1. Keep an Organized Workspace
One of the biggest struggles people face when working from home is keeping their workspace organized. When you’re working from your kitchen table or using your laptop on the couch, the temptation to let clutter build up is very real. Redfin points out this is one of a few issues that can contribute negativity to your household.
Instead, do what you can to reduce clutter in your workspace. Get rid of things that make you feel stressed or add to those feelings of burnout, and get into the habit of cleaning up at the end of your workday. When you’re not distracted by clutter, you’re better able to focus on your work without feeling overwhelmed or stressed by your environment.
2. Take Breaks Often
When you’re responsible for managing your schedule, taking breaks is the last thing on your mind. Unfortunately, working for a solid eight hours without stepping away from your desk is a surefire way to increase your risk of burnout. Take breaks throughout the day. Schedule a 15-minute mid-morning break and grab a cup of coffee or tea to help you stay energized. Better yet, The Guardian recommends a virtual tea break with your workmates. It’s a time not only to decompress, but also to bond.
It can also help to get out into fresh air for a bit. Take a short walking break in the afternoon to help you regain your focus and keep your muscles from getting stiff. As long as you give yourself permission to relax for a few minutes throughout your shift, you’ll help your mind overcome burnout.
3. Celebrate Success
Just because you’re working from home doesn’t mean you’re not working as hard as you can. Though it might seem like you’re slacking off by wearing pajamas during your shift, you’re still being productive and deserve to celebrate your success when you achieve it. Once you complete a task that you’ve been struggling with or meet a new milestone with your job, celebrate! Reward yourself with a favorite treat or chat with a close coworker about your personal victory just as you would in a breakroom at an office. These little celebrations can motivate you to keep working harder without succumbing to burnout.
4. Find a New Job/Career
If you’re unhappy with your current job or career, then there’s a very strong possibility that you’ll experience burnout sooner rather than later. So, think about what you really want to do — and then set out to achieve that goal! If it’s been a little while since you’ve updated your resume or interviewed for a new position, then this experience can seem rather intimidating. Work with a company like Amplify Career Services that can help polish your resume, spruce up your cover letter, and coach you through those interviews so you’ll land that new position.
5. Take Your Weekends
Everyone deserves to take time off, but when you’re working from home, you’re always close to the office. This makes it tempting to try to work on tasks that you missed or didn’t have time to finish on the weekend. While doing this once in a while isn’t terrible, working on your days off frequently will leave you feeling burnt out and exhausted.
Instead, prioritize your weekends. If you have a home office, close the door on Friday evening and only open it again on Monday morning. Give yourself permission to do things that you enjoy on your days off and avoid thinking about work until you’re back on the clock.
Working from home should leave you feeling refreshed and help you avoid burnout rather than cause it. If you’re dealing with feelings of work-related exhaustion and lack of motivation, try these tips for yourself. After a few days of following them closely, you’ll start to see an improvement in your ability to focus on your work.