Tips to Cope with Work from Home in 2021

Working from home may seem like a dream come true, but as many Americans now realize, it’s a double-edged sword. With all the comfort, work from home brings with it unexpected distractions and stress. And thanks to the pandemic, almost 26% of the American workforce will be working from home in 2021.

With work from home becoming suddenly relevant, it’s a good idea to know more about it. We’ll begin by understanding why work from home can be stressful. Later on, we’ll provide tips on how to make the most of working from home.

So let’s dive in.
Why is “Work from Home” Stressful?

An office represents a place of work, while the home represents a place to relax and unwind. As organizations shift to the ‘work from home’ model, employees find their worlds colliding. The house is no longer a place to relax. Instead, employees have to hardwire themselves to focus on work in a space where they usually relax.

Not to mention, the pandemic is still raging across the globe. With the health and safety of loved ones on the line, it’s hard to focus on work. This is especially true when you aren’t in the habit of working from home. As a result, an overwhelming majority of U.S. employees feel more stressed while working from home during the pandemic.

How to Cope with “Work from Home”?

Despite work from home being a new experience for many, it isn’t an unprecedented phenomenon. Remote working increased by 173% between 2005 and 2018. A considerable portion of this increase is attributable to work from home. That’s why there are ways on how to cope with the challenges of working from home. Let’s take a look at what these are.

1 – Designate a “Workspace” in the Home

The first step in dealing with WFH stress is to designate a proper workspace. The logic behind this step is to train your mind to link a certain space in the home with your work life. So when you enter this space, you can say to yourself, “Okay, time for work.”

Ideally, a workspace in the home should be a separate room with minimal noise and distractions. You’ll be able to focus better and allow yourself to work uninterrupted for long periods. If there isn’t a separate room, then try creating a makeshift workspace. Put up a small separation in the home and ask your family members to respect the space during work hours.

You can step in and out of ‘work mode’ as you step in and out of the workspace. If there’s no particular place in the home set aside for office work, then the entire home becomes the workspace. And that means you remain switched on no matter where you are in the house.

2 – Share Your Work Schedule with the Family

Staying in the house means spending more time with your family. And while all this extra time is wonderful, it can be distracting during work hours. An easy way to avoid family distractions during work is to share your work schedule with your family. This will help everyone in the house steer clear of your workspace during the workday.

You could even put up your work schedule somewhere visible to all family members in the home. Or make a general announcement for everyone to give them a heads up about your workday starting. The point is, communication is vital when it comes to working from home. It will help avoid conflicts with your own family as well as prevent feelings of stress and frustration.

3 – Set a Routine and Stick to It

Going to the office sets a routine that helps us make the most of our day, both at work and home. But with offices closed, daily routines aren’t exactly what they used to be. That’s why it could be hard getting into the flow when working from home. Since there’s no place to go, there’s no cue for your brain to switch gears and focus on work tasks.

This is where setting a routine for yourself comes in handy. Start by changing clothes and going to your designated workspace in the home. Even though these seem like small and simple steps, they are immensely helpful in getting out of the home mode’. That’s because these steps provide cues to your brain to get going for the day, even when there’s no office to visit.

4 – Give Yourself a Break

Breaks are essential, especially during work from home. Many employees complain that they end up procrastinating while working from home, leading to exhaustion and guilt. That’s why it’s crucial to make your breaks effective so that they help you recharge rather than frustrate you.

The trick is to know when to end your break. In the office, there’s a designated time for a lunch break. But at home, there’s no supervisor or manager, and small breaks can turn into long procrastination sessions. Set alarms or ask other coworkers to clock your break times so that you can get back to work on time.

5 – End the Work from Home Day on time

One of the most significant disadvantages of working from home is remaining switched on, even after working hours. This has a lot to do with remaining in the same location during and after work hours.

Remember the ‘cues’ we talked about earlier? Traveling home after work is one of the cues for your mind to stop thinking about work. But while working from home, this essential cue is always missing. That’s why you end up thinking about work inadvertently even after working hours are over.

An important way to reduce stress is to end your work from home day on time. Even though this may seem difficult, the trick is to get maximum work done during working hours. This means less procrastination and distractions. If you get enough work done during working hours, you’ll have no problems stopping when working hours are over.

6 – Switch Off Your Devices & Your Work Brain

An effective way to switch ‘off’ from work is to shut down your devices. That means desktops, iPods, mobile phones, and any other device connected to work. Besides, there are several benefits related to reducing screen time. So you’ll be gaining twofold benefits by turning off your devices.

Once your devices are off, it will help you relax and unwind. Try sitting with family members after work hours or engaging in some fun family activities. Gradually, you’ll become better at switching off your work brain after working hours.

Conclusion

It is important to remember that we are living through extraordinary times. So it wouldn’t be the worst idea to cut yourself some slack and try to do your best. Forgive yourself for not being as productive as you were in the office, and take care of yourself first before worrying about work.

Gradually, you’ll get used to working from home, and your productivity will increase to its pre-pandemic levels. Till then, keep practicing these tips to reduce the stress of working from home.