You’re working from home and feeling overwhelmed. How can you maintain a healthy work-life balance?

Working from home can be a blessing and a curse. You have more flexibility, autonomy, and comfort, but also more distractions, interruptions, and stress. How can you cope with the challenges of remote work and keep your sanity, productivity, and well-being intact? Here are some tips to help you achieve a healthy work-life balance when you're working from home.

1 Set boundaries

One of the most important things you can do is to create a clear separation between your work and your personal life. This means having a dedicated workspace, a regular schedule, and a way to communicate your availability to your colleagues, clients, and family. Avoid working in your bedroom, on your couch, or in other places where you usually relax. Set specific hours for work and stick to them as much as possible. Turn off your notifications, close your laptop, and leave your workspace when you're done for the day. Let your boss and co-workers know when you're online and offline, and respect their boundaries as well.

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Prof. Dr. Khalid Farhod Chasib

Professor of Chemical Engineering at Petroleum & Gas Engineering Department-University of Thi Qar. Top 10% of Researchers Contributing to the Peer Review of the Field of Chemical Engineering of 2016,released by Clarivate
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To maintain a healthy work-life balance while working from home, establish clear boundaries between work and personal time. Create a dedicated workspace free from distractions and set specific working hours to structure your day. Take regular breaks to recharge and avoid burnout, incorporating physical activity and relaxation techniques into your routine. Communicate openly with your employer about your needs and limitations, and negotiate flexible schedules or time off when necessary. Prioritize tasks and set realistic goals to manage workload effectively. Finally, make time for hobbies, social connections, and self-care activities to nurture your overall well-being.

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2 Plan ahead

Another way to reduce stress and increase efficiency is to plan your work ahead of time. Start each day with a list of priorities, tasks, and deadlines, and break them down into manageable chunks. Use a calendar, a planner, or an app to keep track of your appointments, meetings, and projects. Review your progress at the end of each day and adjust your plan for the next day accordingly. Be realistic about what you can accomplish in a given time frame and don't overcommit yourself. If you need help, ask for it. If you have too much on your plate, delegate or renegotiate.

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Laura Mita

Editor, Educator, & Instructional Designer | Strengthening content, empowering learners, and creating exceptional instructional experiences 📖🖊️ 💻
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Create a schedule. Use a calendar and use a stopwatch or timer. I work best from home, but only if I maintain a schedule that I stick to. I can break my day apart in 2-3 hour intervals. Not only does it help avoid burnout if you are doing something you may not enjoy as much (grading essays), but it also ensures that you are staying on task for those couple of hours and being “active versus passive”: actively completing tasks versus thinking about completing those tasks you have. Clock out! I use a tool to track my hours, and I clock in and clock out for each task. It also helps me to make sure that I am not overworking myself weekly, and I clock out when my kids are home.

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3 Take breaks

Working from home doesn't mean working non-stop. In fact, taking regular breaks can boost your energy, creativity, and focus. Make sure you take some time to stretch, walk, breathe, or do something else that relaxes you. You can also use your breaks to connect with your colleagues, friends, or family, and have some social interaction. Just avoid checking your email, social media, or news during your breaks, as they can add to your stress and distract you from your work. Aim for at least 15 minutes of break every two hours, and a longer lunch break in the middle of the day.

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4 Stay healthy

Your physical and mental health are essential for your work-life balance. Working from home can affect your sleep, diet, exercise, and mood, so you need to pay attention to your body and mind. Try to maintain a regular sleep routine, and avoid working late at night or early in the morning. Eat nutritious meals and snacks, and drink plenty of water. Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and sugar, as they can disrupt your sleep and mood. Exercise regularly, either at home or outside, and choose activities that you enjoy and that suit your fitness level. Find ways to cope with stress, such as meditation, yoga, music, or hobbies.

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5 Have fun

Finally, don't forget to have some fun and enjoy your life outside work. Working from home can make you feel isolated, bored, or depressed, so you need to find some sources of joy and satisfaction. Schedule some time for yourself, and do something that makes you happy, whether it's reading, watching a movie, playing a game, or learning a new skill. Connect with your loved ones, and share your feelings, thoughts, and experiences. Join a community, a club, or a group that shares your interests, and participate in online or offline events. Celebrate your achievements, and reward yourself for your hard work.

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Jenna Stuebs

Literacy Specialist + Dyslexia Champion + Lifelong Learner + Curiosity Cultivator + World Traveler+ Passionate Educator
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I have noticed that I get very much “in the zone” when working from home. Staring at the screen for hours on end isn’t the healthiest thing for your body. Some things I do to combat this are: 1. Making sure to get out in nature (even just a walk around the block helps tremendously). Getting fresh air and seeing natural colors does wonders for the brain. 2. Setting a timer to at least get up and move around every hour or two is helpful. 3. Not procrastinating. Making checklists for daily action items prevents the need to cram a whole bunch of work into one sitting 4. Socializing. Working from home doesn’t allow for the natural social interactions between coworkers. Spend time with your friends/family. It’s good for the soul. ❤️

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You’re working from home and feeling overwhelmed. How can you maintain a healthy work-life balance?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Set boundaries

2 Plan ahead

3 Take breaks

4 Stay healthy

5 Have fun

6 Here’s what else to consider

Higher Education

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You’re working from home and feeling overwhelmed. How can you maintain a healthy work-life balance?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Set boundaries

2 Plan ahead

3 Take breaks

4 Stay healthy

5 Have fun

6 Here’s what else to consider

Higher Education

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

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