There will be no notable appeal while working from home. No dress code, no in-person supervision, no commute time, and the freedom to decide where you work. However, working remotely can present some significant and unique challenges.
It is a great challenge to work from home. The amount of stress will be very high rather than the on-site job. According to research, those who work from home tend to report high levels of stress.
41% of employees who more often worked from home vs. on-site considered themselves highly stressed, compared to 25% of those who worked only on-site. 42% of those who work from home report frequent night waking, while only 29% of office workers reported the same. Employees who work from home may experience more of a blur when it comes to work and personal life boundaries, especially with the use of smart devices. Work-from-home employees may struggle more with the concept of unplugging and ending their workday compared to those who work in an office setting.
There are lots of common factors of stress that many work-at-homers face. When working from home, you may feel a true lack of structure. Your day is blended with your official and unofficial duties and responsibilities. It is very hard to keep an office atmosphere at home. This can throw off your work-life balance.
When working from home, you may experience distractions and interruptions throughout your day. The distractions like receiving non-work-related calls and texts, your time with social media, caring for kids(if you are a mom professional, it is very unexplainable to go through such conditions), other distractions made by your family members and surroundings, etc., can make your mental state so pathetic. You may also experience challenges working from home if you have children. Depending on their age, you may need to deal with childcare, working around their school schedule, and generally balancing your work and family life.
It is very difficult to set boundaries for your professional and personal life when you are working from home. Others forget that you are working from home. In some situations, we are supposed to say ‘no’ to many requests from our friends, family and relatives. It also gives us some sort of frustration.
Those who work at home may find that solitude. The isolation they suffer from society is highly remarkable in the case of increasing the strain. Research suggests that social isolation can impact motivation in the workplace. This means that it can be beneficial to have some level of social interaction during the workday, especially in high-intensity work situations where productivity trends downward the more isolated an individual is.
There will be a lack of exercise when you work from home. Definitely, this will affect your sleep. The overuse of screens also makes you an insomniac. The troubled sleep will cause a great amount of depression and surely it will affect your quality of work. Time being, your productivity will be down.
Tips for Managing the Stress of Working at Home
Know that if you are working from home and feel intense pressure, you are not alone. While working, you have to take care of your physical and mental health simultaneously. There are many ways to manage the stress associated with matters for those who work from home.
Create a Routine
Whether you set your own schedule or have specific hours that you need to be working, creating a routine can help you manage your time and focus better on your work.
Create a ritual that marks the beginning of your day: This may include taking a walk before you start working, taking a few moments to stretch, and/or enjoying a coffee or tea at the start of your day.
Mark the end of your workday: This may include putting your work material away and out of sight, taking an evening walk, and/or lighting a candle.
Set a morning alarm: Waking up at the same time every day can give you enough time to prepare for your workday. What time you opt to wake up may depend on how much time you need to warm up in the morning.
Set a regular time for having food. Do not skip any of your meals in a day. Take the needed amount. Overeating can make you sleepy and tired while working. And also it is beneficial that proper time of taking food provides you a specific break time.
You can move around your home during your break. If weather and time permit, try to get outside and enjoy the fresh air. This can re-energize you. You may also consider engaging in a breathing exercise while outside.
Set up a Dedicated Workspace
Try to create a workspace rather than your bedroom. Each space has its own usage. So creating a workspace will give you an ambiance to focus on your job. Even if you’re just using a small corner of your home, can help you mentally shift from home life to work. It will help you to leave your work there in your ‘office set up’ once you finish your duty time.
Reduce Distractions
When your duty time starts, reduce your external matters at that time. Keep your phone silent and just go through it when you are free and while taking a break. The barriers that affect your work should be avoided.
Keep a Lively Friendship
If you feel isolated working from home, it’s important to make an effort to connect with supportive individuals in your life. Everyone may have different schedules and your beloved ones are may abroad, but being in their circle online or offline is a must factor to achieve positive energy. You can also create a group chat to stay in touch with each other throughout the week.
Reward Yourself
To keep your motivation up, break down tasks into smaller, more manageable steps, and reward yourself for completing them.
You can be rewarded yourself: Taking a well-deserved break
Reciting a positive affirmation to yourself
Physically checking the task off of your to-do list
Giving yourself a few minutes to check in with friends
Taking a few moments to stretch or engage in a relaxation exercise
What each individual finds rewarding will vary, so give a few options a try to figure out which ones work best for you.
Protect Your Sleep
Getting quality sleep at night directly impacts your overall well-being, including your ability to work from home effectively. 85 percent of your creativity and potentiality are dependent upon your sleeping. Usage of screens late at night can alter your sleep patterns and make it difficult to fall asleep. Be sure to prioritize unwinding at night and practice good sleep hygiene.