If you are already one of the millions of remote workers worldwide or find yourself working from home as a result of the ongoing COVID-19, one thing is sure:
It is difficult to quit work at work when you work from home.
Working from home provides adaptability and informality. You can set up a home office in a spare room or work in your pajamas from the comfort of your comfortable sofa. However, there is one big challenge that remote workers face. Many people find it difficult to disconnect when the working day is officially over, and it is time to turn off—mentally and physically.
You're not alone if you're having trouble finding out how to quit work at work when you work from home. It isn't your fault – in this "always-on" society, it's impossible for someone not to feel stressed, and this feeling amplifies for the remote worker who lives in their workplace. Being unable to leave work at the end of the day leads to burnout, which leads to a decline in productivity and, most significantly, harms your physical and mental well-being.
We have prepared a few tips on how you can avoid this dilemma.
Have a dedicated workspace
Having a physical space where you can close the door at the end of the day aids in leaving work at work. If you want to get the most out of your WFH experience, you must first build the right work environment. It all begins with creating a dedicated workspace in your home. It does not necessarily require any major renovations or have to be costly. A dedicated workspace will also help you maintain an optimal work-family balance if you have children or loved ones around during work hours (which is almost always the case of summer break or the COVID-19 quarantine).
Here are some ideas:
● Select a room in your home as your dedicated workspace. If an entire room is not a choice, choose a location that will provide you with some privacy, whether that’s the kitchen table, corner of the bedroom, or space under the stairs.
● Check the Wi-Fi in your workplace. If necessary, purchase a Wi-Fi extender.
● Provide your workspace with all of the necessary office supplies like laptops, pens, printers, etc.
Whether you prefer a second-hand one, an existing table around the house, or getting something new, it's nice to have a desk for your workspace. You may opt for the dining table, the patio, the kitchen table, a corner in your bedroom, or a desk in the spare multi-purpose room that you're sharing with others in the household. But if you prefer to take it up a notch, getting a standing desk would be an excellent upgrade for your home office or workstation.
A standing desk, also known as a stand up desk, is essentially a desk that allows you to work while standing up comfortably. Many new models are adjustable, allowing you to shift the height of the desk and switch between sitting and standing.
FlexiSpot offers many different standing desks that will suit your choice of style and need! Their decks come in many different colors and finishes and are safe to use around your kids, and are easy to use!
● Adjustable Standing Desk Pro Series: Has enhanced stability & lifting speed and greater loading capacity up to 125KG
● Comhar All-in-One Standing Desk Glass Top: Comes with 1 Type C & 2 Type-A USB charging ports and has a spacious Storage Drawer
It might be tempting to leave everything out if you need it the next day, but setting up your workspace and packing it away would mark the beginning and end of the day in your mind.
Make a to-do list
Having a schedule will alleviate the mental strain that an unfinished job can bring, allowing you to enjoy your spare time instead of thinking about what's left to do or trying to recall what you need to do. At the end of the day or the night before, focus on the tasks you've done and what's still outstanding, then pull out your to-do list and write down the tasks to be completed the next day.
Follow a schedule
If you have set hours that you must adhere to, such as 9 to 5 or whatever, you can skip this section. If you don't have fixed hours and your job allows you to be versatile as long as you get the job done, you could find yourself doing bits and pieces of work at unusual times, such as evenings and weekends.
When you find yourself working from home regularly, it is vital to determine your working hours and stick to your schedule. Don't be alarmed by the term "schedule" – it doesn't have to be stiff, and you might even create a plan that fits in conjunction with the 4 hours of productivity concept.
Even if your workspace is just a few steps away from your bedroom, fight the temptation to sleep in until the last possible moment. Prepare for the workday in the same way you would if you had a 30-minute commute each morning. Schedule obligatory breaks and lunches into your regular schedule. Make it a point not to eat at your desk. Take a stroll when you have a break. Don’t forget to schedule time off too!
Avoid distractions as much as possible.
We make an effort to make our homes comfortable and relaxing. Add personal touches and facilities to make our home cozy, welcoming, and enjoyable.
Unfortunately, all of this can be very overwhelming because our living room also serves as our office. It can be challenging to concentrate when roommates or family members are present during your scheduled work-from-home hours.
Here are some of the things that you can do:
● Set a timer for every hour. Work uninterrupted for 50 minutes. Have a quick break or a snack during the last 10 minutes of the hour.
● Identify and eliminate the distractions in the workday. Personal calls should be for breaks. Stay away from social media. Don't watch TV shows or movies on the internet.
● Share your schedule with roommates, family, and friends to know when you are working, when you are free, and when you cannot be disturbed.
When loved ones disrupt your workday, remind them gently of your work schedule.
Other practices
Quit checking work emails
Checking professional emails during the downtime will make it difficult to relax and fully unwind from work. Notifying your employer and/or clients you will be unavailable outside of working hours is neither selfish nor unprofessional. It's a must-have. You may make a difference between your work time and your free time by creating appropriate boundaries.
Close tabs at the end of the day
Close all browser tabs. Every one of them. Closing them at the end of the day is particularly necessary if you use your home laptop or PC for work. The issue with this is that it's all too easy to get drawn into doing some work if you go to your computer to do some online shopping and see a tab open related to work. Furthermore, even catching a glimpse of something about work will cause you to consider work.
You may save open tabs as bookmarks, or there are browser plugins that keep open tabs as a list of links for quick reference. Close your email software and, if you have work email alerts on your computer, turn them off.
Socialize
Even if you are exhausted at the end of the day, forcing yourself to see people can help you detach from your professional responsibilities and replenish your energy. If you have a big group of friends or only a few close friends, make time for them. Although you are not required to make plans every evening, ensuring that you have two or three social engagements a week will significantly differ.
Spend time with nature
Enjoying the freedom of nature can assist you in de-stressing and disconnecting from the stresses of your job. Spending only 20 minutes a day in nature will reduce stress hormone levels. Try it: take your dog for a stroll in a nearby park, go for a short cycle, or do some jumping jacks outside in the sun.
Get active
Exercise is a fantastic stress reliever and a powerful technique to try while learning how to work from home and leave work at home. Going to the gym or attending a fitness class provides physical separation from your job. An active lifestyle will help you protect yourself from daily stresses and pressures. Getting out of the house and participating in some exercise at the end of a long day will help you unwind and relieve stress. Take the time to experiment with various types of activities to see what works best for you.
Conclusion
Shutting down your laptop is one thing; shutting down your brain is a whole different story. Recharging your mental batteries each evening, on the other hand, ensures that you will return to work refreshed and ready to battle another day. You would be happier, healthier, and more efficient if you take steps to establish boundaries between work and home.
