Most of us are working remotely due to quarantine. You might think. I don’t want to work from home anymore. It’s like a prison! I’m going crazy!!
Yes! Working remotely might give you that impression in the quarantine period. But if you experience remote working during the normal times, it will be heaven-sent.
You can travel the world, have more time for your passion projects, and so many benefits! I have been working remotely for around three years already. And I wouldn’t go back ever.
So if you’re about to go crazy with your work-from-home setup, hang in there! It will be better in the long run. For now, here are 7 tips on how not to go crazy working from home.
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Set Regular Hours
It’s hard to separate work from your routine when your office is at home. For the first time remote workers, you might think you have all the time in the world because you are at home. Or maybe your boss thinks that way. You are at home; you must be available!
If you follow this “full-on work mode all day” schedule, you will certainly go crazy! It’s time to set regular hours for working. If you have working hours in your office, you should also have working hours in your home office.
For me, my work schedule is around 6 AM to 3 PM. After 3 PM, as much as possible, I don’t answer any client-related concerns unless it’s an emergency. It keeps me sane because I know I have a life more than work.
To ensure this, you can suggest your team to use a time tracker (like this powerful time tracking tool from Remote Platform). A time tracker might give you major concerns. But it has advantages that far outweigh the cons.
By applying this, your boss can be assured that you are productive. And you know that you have rendered your paid hours.
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Find a Dedicated Workspace
I am the type of person who can work anywhere. I just need a laptop, a reliable internet connection, a table, and my noise-canceling headphones. And I’m productive regardless of where I am.
But it takes practice. Not everyone can focus on productivity anywhere, especially for first-time remote workers. That’s why you need to find a dedicated workspace.
Find a room or a quiet place away from all the distractions in your house. Stay away from the television, your kitchen, or your dog. An old adage said it best; prevention is better than cure.
Having your dedicated workspace not only prevents distraction, but it also forces your mind to work. Because if you use that space habitually for work, your body can associate the area for focus and productivity.
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Limit Distractions
Sometimes, getting away from your distractions isn’t enough. Distractions will find its way back to you — for example, your phone, your kids, your grandmother, who wants to talk about your past mistakes.
It will surely be there! And it can loosen some nuts and bolts in our fragile brains. It’s time to lessen distractions! For your phone, you can put it in another room or use applications (like AppDetox or Forest) to block certain distracting programs.
For your kids and other loved ones, you can talk to them and explain why you can’t be disturbed during this time. In this way, you can do your work-from-home responsibilities while they stay behaved.
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Exercise
Our mental health might be connected with our sedentary lifestyle. By exercising, you are releasing endorphins that can help improve stress.
So if you are a few moments away from snapping to insanity, a simple home exercise might be a good start. You can try out Chloe Ting’s free program or this Home Workout For Men (iOS & Android)
The programs in Built with science and Freeletics might be good options if you want a paid one.
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Eat Healthily
It’s not enough to just exercise. You also need to eat healthily. A healthy diet provides a foundation for your body. And it can battle the negative effects of stress.
If you’re going crazy, a healthy platter of greens might be one of the solutions you can munch on.
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Distance Physically But Still Connect Socially
When you work-from-home, you don’t have office mates to socialize with. What if you live alone? The 2018 State of Remote Work said that loneliness is the biggest challenge for remote workers. We are social beings. We need someone to talk to and interact with.
With remote work, you might be distant physically, but you can still connect socially. In your work chatroom, you can have a separate room for banter and “water cooler pantry moments.” Talk about random things in that safe space.
Also, you can utilize video conferencing just for social interaction. In the digital age, you don’t have to be alone. And interacting with your friends and coworkers is just a click away.
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Rest and Relax
At the end of the day, you’re just human. You can’t avoid all the stressors that can make your mind go haywire. You need some time to disconnect from your work.
It might be meditation. It might be watching Netflix or spending time with your loved ones. Sometimes, it can be as simple as popping bubble wraps (hey! It’s therapeutic for me!) without thinking about anything.
Whatever it is, find your own rituals that can relax your mind. It will go a long way for your sanity.
Conclusion
Remote is a blessing for everyone. It’s not a constricting prison that can make you crazy. Utilize the advantages well and become happier with your life. Cheers for options with remote work!
