Working From Home -How to Balance Productivity and Well-Being

Working From Home
Working From Home -How to Balance Productivity and Well-Being 2

Working from home has gained a lot of popularity over the past few years. A lot of that popularity is because of the COVID-19 pandemic. People around the world have been required to work remotely, and it seems that this working style is here to stay.

I am an advocate of remote working. I believe that employees -whenever possible- should decide where and how they work. However, it may be challenging to balance productivity and well-being and working remotely.

Moreover, for some, working from home can be surprisingly difficult. Not having the right office setting, constant noise, and endless interruptions are some of the challenges we might face while working from home.

And yet, the benefits of remote work may outweigh the challenges; and it might offer an opportunity to develop a productive work-life balance.

In this article, we will talk more about how to achieve that much-needed work-life balance.

Benefits and Challenges of Working from Home

 Many employees are working from home for the first time because of COVID-19. Others have been working remotely since before the pandemic. Regardless of the reasons, working from home is probably playing a bigger part in your life than it ever has before.

Working from home could have a positive impact not only on your life but also on your family and your company. Staying connected and with a positive and open to changes attitude will allow you to maintain a fulfilling home life while working productively.

However, there are challenges to keep in mind. From a manager's perspective, concerns may be about whether remote employees are meeting their obligations. On the other hand, employees working from home may feel alienated from the company. The lack of connection with team dynamics increases the chances of suffering from stress and anxiety. Therefore, if you are working remotely, it is crucial to maintain contact with colleagues and cultivate a sense of belonging.

Working Safely at Home

When you are working from home, unlike working from the office, you are responsible for creating a working space adapted to your needs. It is important to make sure you are healthy mentally and physically.

Designing Your Space

To guarantee that you stay on track and get things done, you should create a working space that fosters productivity. Make sure you have all the tools you might need to work comfortably.

While your working space should be a place where you enjoy spending time; However, it is crucial to be clear that it is a place of work. When it comes to decorating your space, a few "office" touches might help you be more productive.

A height-adjustable desk and a high-quality chair are the best investments you could make. With a height-adjustable desk, you can control how much time you spend sitting. When using a chair, having proper back support will allow you to comfortably. Working comfortably is one of the keys to getting things done.

Adequate lighting, natural airflow, and noise control are also crucial components. Whenever possible, opt to have a natural light source as it is gentler on the eyes. Work near a window to enjoy the fresh air. If you are working in a noisy space, consider using headphones or noise-canceling tools.

Keep Healthy Routines

Working from home could be challenging for your physical and mental health. It is essential to cultivate healthy routines to ensure that you don't slip into unhealthy behavior.

One of the healthy habits to keep is a consistent working schedule. With less time commuting, it may be tempting to work extra hours a day. As a result, you will be more likely to suffer from burnout and stress.

Keeping a healthy sleeping and eating schedule is vital to stay healthy. Avoid excessive snaking as it can distort your daily routine.

Regardless of where you are working, keep in mind the importance of breaks. Having regular short breaks can help you stay energized and on task. Getting a 10-minute -off-screen- break for every hour of work could help you work more efficiently.

Being Productive While Working Remotely

Staying productive is often one of the main challenges while working remotely. Working away from colleagues, with only remote interactions, fosters disconnection and apathy. Moreover, it could promote procrastination.

One way to help you stay on track is to create cues that help you transition in and out of work mode. These cues can include a clear start and finish of your working day and time put aside for relaxing, working out, and eating. They could also be routines that guide you towards your working day, such as listening to a podcast, drinking a cup of coffee, calling a loved one, and so on.

While it might be tempting to stay all day in your most comfortable pajamas, having a "working from home dress code" could be helpful. Having particular clothes for working at home will set your mind into working mode.

If it is possible, avoid going to your working space when it is not time to work. Otherwise, your mind might be in a constant "work mode."

Stay Focused

A study made by the University of California in 2008 found that it took an average of 23 minutes to get on task after an interruption. And staying on track while working from home could be challenging. A clear structure of what your working day should look like could help you stay focused.

If you find yourself suffering constant interruptions from family or friends, or if you are often spending "working time" doing household chores, redesign and communicate clear boundaries.

Keep track of your social media use. Designate a time for replying to messages and catch up with your notifications.

Stay Motivated

Without colleagues around you, it can be hard to stay motivated. Remote work does not foster a space for celebrating small victories with others. It also makes it hard to give and receive encouraging words. It will come in handy to practice self-motivation to boost confidence and positive thinking.

Finding ways to make tasks more enjoyable and rewarding could bring in motivation. Use your To-Do List to record your achievements and completed tasks. Using a To-Do List will create a measurable record that enhances a sense of satisfaction. If tasks are routine and monotonous, give yourself "treats" when you complete them.

Remember to celebrate success as a team, but also on a personal level. As humans, we need to know that our success is noticed, especially when not physically present. Otherwise, it is easy to feel insecure about your output. Acknowledge when a colleague has done something good. Small actions can build work morale and self-esteem in others.

Remember that when working from home, you are responsible for your working space. You are also accountable for your self-motivation and discipline. The most important thing to keep in mind, regardless of where you are working, is to keep your working space adapted to you and not the other way around. 

Benefits of Having Two Monitors When Working From Home

The principal benefit of using two screens at work is increased productivity. Even though remote working has many benefits, it is easier to get distracted or unmotivated while working away from the office. Therefore, it is crucial to have a conscious goal to foster productivity. 

The Best 5 Podcasts to Listen to While Working from Home

Podcasts have been popular for quite some time now, but I never thought I would ever become someone who listens to podcasts regularly. I have always been very visual. So the idea of listening to someone talking to me without any images sounded boring. It wasn't until a few years ago that I decided to give podcasts a chance. And to my surprise, I quickly fell in love with them.

10 Ways to Manage Your Time Efficiently

Our working spaces should foster focus and concentration. However, sometimes it seems that they have been designed to do the complete opposite. Even when we are swamped by the amount of work we have, we would likely spend a lot of time checking emails, reading Twitter, or browsing around on the internet.

Working From Home -How to Balance Productivity and Well-Being

Working from home has gained a lot of popularity over the past few years. A lot of that popularity is because of the COVID-19 pandemic. People around the world have been required to work remotely, and it seems that this working style is here to stay.

7 Steps to an Ergonomic Workstation

Working at a desk can cause back and neck pain in little to no time, which can and will cause a lot of discomfort and lack of concentration. You might think this is common due to many reasons like sitting posture, or not being used to staying seated for extended periods of time, but in reality it's due to poorly designed working space. Studies agree that an ergonomic working spaces reduce the risk of pain and discomfort, which is why we have developed a list that will help you set up a working space that best fits your needs.

8 Things to Consider When Choosing A Standing Desk (Height-Adjustable Desk) for Home Office

There are many different products that are related out there, but which one is the best for you and your budget? First of all congratulations on taking the initiative on buying a standing desk. Your back and body will thank you for this investment.

10 Ways to Work Smarter, Not Harder

Regardless of the job you do, you probably feel like we are falling behind with our work every now and then. The truth is, there are not always enough hours in the day to get everything done. As a result, you feel frustrated and stressed. And that is not good for neither your productivity nor your health.

4 Common Mistakes People Make When First Setting Up A Home Office and How to Avoid Them

As a workplace fanatic myself. I consider my workplace a sanctuary of creation, a place where I get things DONE. I’ve had many home office setups through my life, and it wasn’t until recently that I realized that I have been doing it wrong and correcting them.

7 Ways to Make a Great To-Do List and Get Stuff Done

Not everyone is a "lists person." However, if you are struggling to keep track of your tasks or to stay motivated throughout the day, a list could help you that. While to-do lists are a great tool to track outstanding tasks and to save time and energy, they can also be poor motivators.
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