Being a remote employee has many pros and cons, ups and downs, and maybe even twists and turns. While remote work saves gas, time, and money, only 30 percent of work-from-home employees state that they’re engaged and productive during work.
How can you be more productive? How can you establish your work/home boundaries?
Whether you’re new to working from home or you’ve been working from home for a while, you may wonder how to improve your mental health as a remote employee.
Create a Routine
When you create a routine, you set yourself up for success. Stress, anxiety, and procrastination disappear (mostly, anyway) when you set yourself up for success.
Humans thrive on routine because it gives us a sense of control over our time instead of living at the will of the clock.
Create a ritual for your mornings, evenings, and during work. But remember, routines are more than watching “aesthetic morning routines” on social media and jumping up to do it.
It’s best to take some time to think about what you’d like to accomplish in the morning, at work, and before you go to bed. Write out which times you’ll achieve your tasks and find a routine that works for you.
Have a Dedicated Work Area
Jumping around the house and working in different areas can throw you off track and make you feel discombobulated. Even if you’re ticking things off your work to-do list, are you focusing and completing those tasks correctly?
Reserve one area in your home where you can work and focus. Having a dedicated workspace enables you to separate your home from your job.
Learn When To Rest
Like creating a dedicated workspace to separate work from home, you must also know when to take a break.
If you finish work earlier than anticipated, stop there. We know it’s tempting to go above and beyond in your position, and on some days, that’s great! But not every day. This will allow you to enjoy the benefits of working from home even more.
Stay Connected
Sometimes it’s easy to feel isolated and disconnected from your company and co-workers. Loneliness can cause anxiety and depression, which may make it harder to find joy in your work.
Bond with your team by chatting with them (when you have a moment) and maybe adding a video chat to the mix.
You can also stay connected by calling your friends or family members during your break to see how their day is going and remind yourself that you’re not alone!
Focus on Physical Health
One of the most important things you can do as a remote employee is to focus on your physical health as much as your mental health.
Remote positions typically demand the employee to work on their computer during the workday. When a person sits for long periods of the day, their health can start to decline.
To avoid acquiring harmful health conditions, try improving your posture, taking regular walking breaks, and visiting your chiropractor to increase your health. Working with a chiropractor offers an array of surprising health benefits.
Be productive, happy, and focused at work by following these tips to improve your mental health as a remote employee. Working from home can be a blessing if you prioritize your mental and physical health.