How to Work From Home Without Losing Your Mind:
7 Tips for Busy Tech Pros
Struggling to keep your sh*t together while working from home? You’re not alone. Today, as COVID-19 continues to ravage the global community, more than 90% of Americans are under stay-at-home orders [1] . That means millions of people across the country (and around the world) are working from their home offices, kitchen tables, couches, or any other spare surface not already occupied by another member of their household.
Although many tech pros worked from home before the pandemic, others are attempting to adjust to the new normal - while simultaneously battling daily stressors and new anxieties. To help you make it through, here are seven practical tips:
1. Maintain Your Routine
It’s challenging to stick with a routine when you’re not leaving the house, but it’s essential for your mental health. Do your best to:
• Wake Up at a Reasonable Hour • Shower • Get Dressed
• Eat Meals at Regular Times • Take Scheduled Breaks
At the very least, change into a clean pair of sweatpants!
2. Set A Clear End To Your Workday
Without a natural stopping point, it’s easy to let your work consume your life. But that’s a surefire way to burn out.
• Stop working when you’d usually commute home
• Set a calendar reminder of your ‘quitting time’
• Turn off notifications during non-work hours
Reward yourself with a post-work activity you enjoy.
3. Create Separate Physical Boundaries Between Your Work and Living Spaces
Setting up a temporary home office? Do your best to create a barrier between your working space and your living area. If you don’t have a designated study or desk…
• Try not to work in your bedroom
• Close your computer when it’s not in use
• Work in the least-used area of your home
4. Find Ways to Cope with Distractions
From kids and pets to roommates and loud neighbors, there’s no shortage of distractions at home.
• Use the Pomodoro Method to focus (25-minute sprints, 5-minute breaks)
• Have kids? Take shifts with your partner
• Invest in noise-canceling headphones
5. Stay Connected with Your Team
A lack of social interaction can threaten your team’s morale, job satisfaction, and productivity. 55% of lonely employees are less productive than their peers [2] . So how can you connect without violating CDC social distancing rules?
• Schedule virtual happy hours
• Set up a virtual watercooler (e.g. Slack, Hangouts etc.)
6. Get Up and Move
Multiple studies show a correlation between increased physical activity and improved mental health. Light exercise and regular movement can improve your mood and overall well being.
• Take breaks to stretch • Try online workout videos • Eat lunch outdoors
• Enjoy a (socially distanced) walk • Stand up at least once per hour
7. Get a Full Night’s Sleep
It may be tough when you’re feeling anxious and concerned about the state of the world, but do your best to get a good night’s rest. Sleeping 60 to 90 minutes more per night can make you happier and healthier [3].
• Avoid screens at least one hour before bed
• Avoid caffeine at least six hours before bed
• Go to bed at the same time every night
CONCLUSION
Working from home isn’t always easy, and the current pandemic and mandatory social distancing can magnify those challenges. By following these practices, you can protect your mental health and achieve a better work-life balance.
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SOURCES
[1] Business Insider [2] Cigna [3] American Psychological Association
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