How to prevent burn-out when working from home

No commute, no coffee or lunch breaks, and minimal human interaction can be a dangerous combination if you’re prone to burnout.

As companies across the globe ask employees to work from home to help stop the spread of Covid-19, we explain how to redefine the lines between work and home life. 

Create a dedicated workspace 

Setting up a dedicated zone for your working day creates a physical boundary between you and work. If you have an office at home, make sure to shut the door once you’ve finished for the day or, if your kitchen table has become your office desk, make sure you put away your laptop at the end of the day to avoid the temptation to log back on.

Get into a routine

It’s not always easy to replicate the schedule you had in the office, but a little structure can make a big difference to getting your work/life balance right. Try sticking to the same start and finish times each day. Incorporating daily exercise can also help to keep you motivated and alert.  

Get your priorities in order

Start each day by planning your tasks for the day ahead in priority order. Incorporate when and where you’ll do each task, as well as considering the challenges you may face to help keep your to-do list achievable, and yourself motivated.

Take regular breaks

You don’t spend every second in the office at your desk and it shouldn’t be any different at home. Take regular breaks throughout the day to make a coffee or get some air. This will reset your mind and body and keep you motivated throughout the day.  

Keep in contact with colleagues

It can be hard to recognise when you’re pushing yourself too hard, especially when there’s no one around to witness your late nights and early morning starts. It can be tempting to duck out of a team call or resist offers of a virtual coffee when you feel overloaded, but these social interactions are key to maintaining a sense of perspective and positive mental wellbeing so try to embrace rather than avoid them.  

End the day with an event 

Schedule an activity that you enjoy for the end of your working day to act as a signal for switching off. Whether you go for a walk, do some yoga or pick up a book, make sure you’re out of your workspace and ready for some much-needed relaxation.