Working from home has its advantages. You get to spend time with your family, save on commuting costs, and you can wear pajamas all day and no one will judge you for it. However, remote workers and people who run a small business in their own homes can also experience the same thing that plagues a typical office worker: burnout.
Whether you’re maintaining a blog or running a start-up, there will be moments when you feel bored due to lack of interaction with other people or due to the repetitive nature of your work. For parents who work from home, the main challenge is not to get overwhelmed by the demands of their jobs while making some time to attend to the needs of their children.
The trick to avoid burning out is to take it easy, learn how to manage your time, and to take a break every once in a while. Here are some tips to avoid burnout while working from home.
Assign a few hours of your day to do some deep work
Some people find that they’re most productive in the morning, so if this is the case for you, plan to accomplish most of your tasks during the early part of the day. Make it a habit to do so every day, so that you get to have more time to do other things in the afternoon.
Don’t skip meals
It’s tempting to skip meals and subsist on coffee when you’ve got so much to do, but not eating will lead to low energy, and you won’t be able to think clearly on an empty stomach. Carve out some time to sit down to a healthy meal, preferably away from your workspace.
Listen to what your body is trying to tell you
It’s hard to be productive when you’re tired. So instead of slogging on, take a quick nap or step away from your computer for a few minutes. You’ll feel refreshed and ready to take on your to-do list after you do.
Don’t isolate yourself from family and friends
It’s easy to keep yourself in a bubble when you’ve got a lot to do, but isolating yourself from your family and friends is one of the surest ways to feel lonely and bored. Give your partner or your parents a quick call, or if they’re around, get out of your home office and have a bit of a chat with them.
Plan an outdoor activity for the weekend
Most remote workers get a bit of cabin fever from being cooped up all week long, so plan a fun outdoor activity for the weekend to give you something pleasant to look forward to. You can go for a picnic or a nice hike with your family, or you can even go to the beach if there’s one that’s near your place.
For more, check out Jobs & Hire’s tips on how to liven up a boring home office.
