Remote working well-being
When it comes to remote working it can be easy to forget about workplace mental health however, looking after yourself has never been more important.
The initial idea of working from home may have left you feeling ecstatic and full of freedom. However, this is not the case for everyone and some employees can wind up feeling more stressed and isolated.
Staying connected and available 24/7 may be tempting, especially if you are trying to impress the boss! Just like at work there comes a point where you should switch off and let your home be your home. This sometimes can be difficult, especially if there is the feeling of increased pressure or worry surrounding your employers trust in remote working or your productivity.
While the right amount of pressure can be healthy and motivating, too much can be equally damaging and lead to burn out. At Ingenious Marketing, we have put together some quick tips to help you look after your mental health and well-being, even if your home is the new office.
Say No
It can be super easy to be a Yes man or woman and TRY and take on the world. Especially if you feel like you have to prove you are not slacking off just because you are working from home. It is important to remember that you only have so much capacity and anything extra will be eating into your time and adding unnecessary pressure.
It may seem hard to say no and potentially counterproductive at first, but honest communication will gain you respect while also ensuring your best productivity for your current workload.
When taking on more work and responsibilities take a step back and think about how much you can achieve in one day, this should be no different to when working in the office. Frequent communication with both managers and clients can easily resolve this issue, most will also be very respectful of your honesty.
Keep a schedule and plan your time
Put together a schedule close to your office working routine and try to stick to it. If you normally take a walk at lunch or have a coffee at 3pm keep them up.
Putting together a daily or weekly schedule can also help you to identify your current workload and where you may be able to take on some more. Don’t forget to be realistic when managing your time, it can be very easy to underestimate how long a task will take to complete or to fill your day with three days worth of work!
Keep connected
One of the most obvious differences of not working in the office is spending less time with your friends and colleagues. This can quickly lead to feelings of isolation, especially if you love the buzz and tea round chat.
To combat this, keep communicating with your team and workplace friends. You can even arrange remote lunches or catch-ups where you all video call in. If you have another person in your home arrange to take lunchtimes together or call a friend. Finally putting the radio on low can reduce that eerily silent feeling!
Recognise your personal needs
Make sure you take scheduled breaks to unplug and relax your shoulders, neck and eyes from the screen. Feel like you are burning out? Take a few days of annual leave to recharge and relax!
Our bodies are great at telling us what they need, so from time to time check-in and make sure you are listening. From simply making sure we eat the right foods, taking time to exercise and looking after the simple things we can really make a difference to our well-being.
Acceptance
Most importantly it is crucial to understand that wherever you may be in your life right now, it is ok. Don’t add unnecessary pressure to yourself, we are sure you are under enough as it is!
Want to find out how to improve productivity while working from home? Read our quick tips for remote working.