Why work from home is so exhausting and how to ease your work routine
'01.06.2020'
Source: Forbes
The coronavirus has brought about fundamental changes in our work. Most likely, you work from home - and if you have not done this before, you are still experiencing a lot of difficulties, despite the fact that quarantine began in March and in many countries and states of the United States is already actively weakening it. Many companies have left employees working from home: for example, Twitter announced that employees who work remotely can do it as long as they want if they want. But even if you have been working this way for a long time, you will find useful tips on how to make your work life easier. Writes about it Forbes.
Most likely, you feel that you are more tired and cannot understand why - especially if the responsibilities have not increased compared to the office. It seems that you are not standing in traffic jams on the way to work, and meetings have moved into the format of video conferencing, in which you sit in your own chair in a cozy atmosphere. You have access to food at any time, and you do not travel from client to client. Why does all this tire you so much?
It didn't seem to you - and this exhaustion can be easily explained. This is why you get tired and, most importantly, what to do about it.
Most likely it is not your choice
One of the fundamental elements of good mental health is independence, self-expression and a sense of control. Many were sent home during quarantine, leaving no choice what could be distressing or even disorienting.
- What to do? Make the choice of your day. Set a meeting time and maintain control over the progress of the projects as much as possible. Maybe you can control the sequence of your tasks or the schedule of the day. Even breaks in planning can give you some idea of how your time is distributed.
You have to think about things that used to be automatic.
The feeling of survival can come from the need to deal with what previously did not cause problems. In the office, you could move from room to room and it was easy to jot down your thoughts on a flip chart, discussing them with colleagues. Now these actions require a different approach, the application of technology and the consideration of technical problems.
- What to do? Keep moving forward. As new ways of working become common, and as you master technology, you adapt and this will also become automatic - you will stress less.
You miss people
One of the great things about work is regular contact and communication with people from our immediate circle. The cafe-bar in the office provides an opportunity to meet colleagues, stay in touch and maintain relationships with people whom we do not necessarily see in our daily tasks. Your network may have shrunk and you may miss your friends and feel sad. Work is a social process, and even introverts need to communicate with people live from time to time. You are tired because you are not getting the energy from these regular connections and because maintaining these connections requires more conscious effort.
- What to do? Communicate with people in a new way using communicators, video, social networks and so on. This may seem unusual at first, but remember that others probably feel the same fear as you. It will become easier, and you will set new standards to stay in touch.
You are often distracted
While working from home can be a great way to keep a job and fulfill your responsibilities, it is not so simple due to distractions in the home. Obviously, children, spouses or partners can be distracting, especially if you do not have a dedicated place to work at home. But in addition, you are distracted by washing, walking, going out to the store, current everyday tasks at home.
- What to do? Set aside time for distraction as part of your day. Plan a pre-lunch break with your family or a chance to get some fresh air.
On the subject: 7 everyday habits of the times of the USSR, which again became relevant during quarantine
You are under pressure, which was not before
The number of roles you have to play is very important. In the “new normal” mode, you may have to cook more because restaurants are closed (or there is less money), clean more because the service that helped with the cleaning is no longer working. Plus, if you have kids, you're probably helping with school work or planning activities to keep them entertained. And nobody canceled the work. The demands on your time are increasing, and your opportunities are the same or even diminishing.
- What to do? Stay positive and focus on what you are grateful for. Gratitude has many positive mental and physical effects. Appreciate the time spent together, the reduction in travel to work and the adaptability that you strengthen in yourself.
The flow of information is huge.
In addition to the information you are actively looking for about coronavirus, you also get more information than ever. Businesses seek to tell you about their reactions to the pandemic. Your company sends you emails. You regularly receive updates from your management to keep you in focus, and more offers than ever from consultants who are trying to survive. The flow of information has increased, and you are trying to cope.
- What to do? Filter information and prioritize. Although you need to be up to date, be confident in your borders and give yourself permission not to keep track of all non-critical emails.
You live a more intense life
In particular, one of the problems of videoconferencing is its intensity. You look at faces all day, not being able to take visual breaks. Your eyes are focused on what is in the immediate vicinity, which is really boring. You may not be used to seeing yourself in front of the camera, so you need to maintain self-esteem, despite the discovery of new wrinkles, the asymmetry of your eyebrows or your tendency to touch your face. Although this may seem silly, it is not. All of this is related to your sense of identity, and the process of re-adapting to your own sense of self can be tedious.
- What to do? Avoid getting hung up on yourself. Instead, focus on others, your work, and the contribution you make to your team. Also, make sure that you look away often enough - and focus on things in the distance (the view from the window or the image on your wall), and not exclusively on what is nearby.
On the subject: Without this, they will not be allowed on the plane: what awaits air passengers after quarantine
You almost stopped moving
Movement is beneficial and important for your health and psychological state. The fact that you are not moving around your company building or traveling from client to client can actually lead to even greater exhaustion.
- What to do? Get up and move while you work. Get up, sit down or go to the kitchen to get another cup of tea. You can also think about taking micro-breaks, during which you squat, bounce or walk in place, doing simple exercises.
Working from home is tough - for many good reasons. But you can maintain efficiency and psychological comfort by giving yourself as much control over your work as possible and supporting work processes by learning new technologies. Stay connected with friends and create healthy distractions. Keep perspective and give yourself permission to prioritize the flow of information. Focus on others and keep moving. So far, this may not be an easy struggle, but today's problems will end and we will return to new norms. Ideally - with developed systems of new learning and expanded adaptability.
