Over the past year, the biggest change for most has been the need to work from home. While some have adapted well to the flexibility this offers, many are still finding it a challenge to strike a healthy work-life balance. The merging of these two worlds can have a big impact on our wellbeing and happiness, leading to an overwhelming sense of pressure.
The key is to remember that a work-life balance doesn’t mean equal parts work to play. It’s more about prioritising your individual needs, managing your time effectively and planning ahead. Since everyone is different, what works for one household might not work for another, so here are some tips to help you find your own balance.
You might have extra time in the morning, but try not to hit the snooze button. More sleep leaves you with less chance to get mentally prepared for work, and can actually cause you to feel sleepier later in the day.
Instead, use your usual commute time to take a shower, go for a walk, or cook yourself a tasty breakfast. Then get dressed in your usual work clothes and start work at the usual time. While you might not be going to an office, a routine can help you get into the right frame of mind for a productive day ahead.
Keep yourself in this positive headspace by setting up an office where you can focus. Working from your bed is a recipe for afternoon naps, and sitting on the sofa might lead to a Netflix binge. It can also make it harder to relax in these spaces when you finish for the day.
An office space doesn’t need to be a private room, just somewhere that’s clutter-free and away from distractions. Having the right environment will encourage you to focus on the important tasks, while also helping to compartmentalise your work and home life.
At work, we often take mini breaks without even realising it. Putting the kettle on, office chatter and moving around the building all give us a moment to step away from our desks. While working from home is free from these distractions, they give us a chance to refocus and reduce the physical strain on our eyes and backs.
Use any errands to take a break during the day, giving you time away from your computer screen while still being productive. It’s also a great chance for some exercise and getting in your daily dose of vitamin D—a vital ingredient for happiness. If you don’t have any errands to run, then try a 5-minute walk or a quick stretch.
We all need time to recharge, but when your home becomes your office, it can be difficult to know when to stop. With a constant flow of emails and calls mixing with your personal space, it’s not uncommon for people to feel guilty about not working.
Decide on a work schedule, and then turn off any notifications outside of those hours. There are also plenty of online calendars where you can share your availability with your team, and you can set up automated responses to let people know when they can expect a reply.
If you find yourself changing those times regularly, make sure to reassess and adjust. Create a schedule that works for your team, but which also gives you time to switch off and recharge.
As humans, we are naturally social, so one of the biggest challenges to overcome is the sense of being cut off from everyone else. Our social interactions, no matter how small, are what make each day unique.
Without them, the weeks start rolling into one, so it’s important to find ways that break up this monotony.
If you have a work-related question, then instead of sending your colleagues an email, try doing a video call. No questions? Then you can still reach out and make time to socialise. Have a virtual lunch or coffee break together, ask about their weekend and enjoy a quick catch up.
Whether you can completely separate your work and home life, or need to juggle the two together, the key is to find a schedule that works best for you. Everyone’s situation is unique, so try not to draw comparisons with other people—even if their situation is similar, it will never be the same.
We hope these tips can help you find your work-life balance, and remember, always be gentle with yourself.
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