How to Avoid Burnout When Working From Home?

Posted on: Mar 2, 2021 | 3 mins | Written by: HDFC ERGO Team

How to Avoid Burnout When Working From Home?

The world is left with no other option but to embrace remote working and have to accept the dramatic change brought about by the outbreak of COVID-19. Here are some ways you can embrace to enjoy work from home.

Enjoy Flexibility
Working from home brings a more flexible schedule, and one should enjoy such an advantage. Though one is expected to follow a work schedule, it doesn’t mean one should become too rigid with it. Occasionally, it’s okay to play with kids outside, have lunch with friends, go out for a coffee, etc.

The point is not overexerting with work. While working remotely, one should have the leverage to set own schedule and work at one’s own pace. If taking breaks helps relax go ahead and do it. Occasional fun activities during working hours can help stay afresh.
Take Regular Short Breaks During Working Hours

While working from home, some people tend to work continuously at their desks because they don’t take regular short breaks, like they do in the office. They can easily end up working continuously for hours, which can eventually lead to exhaustion. Take random tea or coffee breaks, get up from the chair and eat, stretch when starting to feel cramped, take a walk outside the home. A short 5-minute break every half an hour or so is recommended to help stay focused over a long period of time, giving eyes some rest, and improve productivity.
Look for Burnout Symptoms

One of the sure ways to avoid burnout is to know if one is starting to feel it. A person can work on and on for days before realizing he or she is suffering from burnout.

Managers who are busy to prevent burnout within the team should take good care of themselves too, especially during remote working. If they feel something’s not right and burnout symptoms showing up, it’s high time to change the way work is being done 4.
Set Deadlines and Meet Them

One should not have to work overtime. One should remember that flexibility of working from home does not mean one can begin to slacken of. One needs to set deadlines and work in a planned way to meet them. If you are unable to do this, it will end up for potential burnout. At the same time, communicate with the manager if you are feeling excessive workload.
Communicate Regularly with Colleagues

Sitting in a closed home-office space and without co-workers can make people feel alone and isolated. However, remote work does not mean one should stop communicating with colleagues, managers and bosses.

Schedule video calls, make a phone call, and chat instantly with the other team members to stay connected. Talk about work, indulge in casual conversation, and avoid burnout when working from home. Never feel cut-off from the team.

Lack of collaboration and complex project management can add up to the employee’s stress. Using the right tools and equipment, it is crucial to simplify task management and collaborate effectively with others. Else it can end up taking its toll on the employees.

Using good project management tools can make things much easier for the workforce. Whether it’s time management, task assignment, custom reports, or visualizing workflow, the team can achieve more in less time.

Striking the right balance between work and personal life and staying connected with colleagues and outside world holds the key to how well one can manage and tackle the challenges of remote work. And remember, having home insurance ensures that your work-from-home environment is protected in case of unexpected events.