Working remotely is now the new norm when, just a year ago, it used to be considered a sign of, well, laziness! The fact is, working from the comfort of your own home comes with its own set of pros and cons.
Pro #1: You’re surrounded by the comforts of your home (couches, beds, armchairs)
Con #1: Mixing your home life and work life never really works out well for either.
Pro #2: You have rest and leisure close by whenever you need it - goodbye stuffy office cubicle!
Con #2: 69% of remote employees suffer from burnout symptoms such as increased fatigue, less energy, less engagement, more job-related cynicism, and ultimately poorer productivity.
Surprising, right? There’s a funny saying - the longer you stay at home, the more homeless you look. The same could apply to working from home. The longer you work from home, the less productive you become. But when you have no choice but to work remotely, what do you do to prevent this burnout? Are you stuck with the frustration of not being able to give your best shot anymore?
How to Prevent Work-from-Home Burnout
Never fear, burnout-reduction-strategies are here! Follow the steps outlined below and you can wave adieu to long, non-productive hours:
Create a schedule - Set a schedule that works for you (and your family if they’re at home) and work only the hours you would normally work if you were in the office.
Plan and prioritize - When you’re feeling stressed out, don’t panic. Create a to-do list of all the things you need to do in a day and set reminders and realistic goals.
Focus on what you can control - Stressing out about the pandemic, the news, and your household duties can add a huge mental load to your regular work stress. Remember, all you need to do is what you’re doing at any given moment. Don’t stress about the stuff you need to do later or can’t fix, only focus on what you need to finish right now.
Use available mental health resources - Most employers have expanded their benefits offering to include mental health resources such as assistance plans, telemental health coverage, counseling, etc. to help you cope with the stress of this unusual way of life. So use it!
Ask for help - You can’t always do everything on your own. If you’re feeling overburdened, you should know that you can always reach out to your boss, friends, or family for help.
And remember, you’re not alone. The whole world is struggling to get back on its feet and the majority of the population are feeling exactly the same way you are. So don’t hesitate to talk about what you’re feeling and what resources your HR team can provide you with.
For more bite-sized articles on small business health insurance, follow NY Small Health’s blog. If you are an employer and want to discuss how to offer mental health benefits to your team, contact the insurance experts at NY Small Health. They can track down the best plans from the best carriers - for instance, they work with Aetna which offers comprehensive mental health coverage to businesses, incorporating each of the resources/benefits mentioned earlier. If this sounds like something you need, talk to the guys at NY Small health today.