When the pandemic first started, many workers across the US were forced to leave their offices and start working from home. Now, as restrictions have lifted, a lot of businesses have chosen to keep remote on a permanent basis and close their office doors for good. Remote working certainly has a lot of benefits; it allows people to manage their time better and takes away the expensive daily commute. However, there are downsides to remote work too. Working exclusively from home can be a little isolating, and it also can be difficult to keep up with work when you are not in an office environment. These sorts of things can make working from home very stressful, which is why it is important to find ways to ease some of that stress. Within this article, we will go over a few different methods that could help you manage the remote working lifestyle. 

Have A Set Schedule

One super simple way you can manage your stress when working from home is to have a set schedule. When you were working in an office, your working day had a set structure, and you know that when you got to the office, your day started, and when you left, your workday had ended. Remote work doesn’t have this advantage as when you wake up you are technically already at work, so sometimes it can be difficult to get in and out of the work mode. Setting a schedule is the best way to overcome this, as it allows you to follow a proper structure that tells you when to start working and when to stop. If you are new to remote working, it could be helpful to create a schedule that is similar to the one you had in the office as familiarity can help you get settled into your new routine. 

Don’t Isolate Yourself

As mentioned in the introduction, feeling isolated is a major issue that can come with working from home. When you worked in an office, you were constantly surrounded by your coworkers, which meant every day you had some social interaction. However, when you are working from home, unless you have a partner working at the same time, you are going to feel very isolated. If this is the case, then it is important to recognize when you are feeling like this and then reach out to people who can help. Reaching out to friends and colleagues is a good idea, but they may not always be able to help in the best way. In this circumstance, it could instead be helpful to reach out to an online psychiatrist, as they will be able to give you the professional help and advice you need. Sometimes people struggle with finding time for therapy, which is why an online psychiatrist like those from Talkiatry are a great option as you can discuss everything you want from the comfort of your home.

Have A Set Working Area

Having a set working area is another great way to manage some of the working from home stress. If you are just working from your bed each day, you may find yourself distracted from work, which can lead to you feeling unmotivated. It would be very beneficial for you to have a set working area or office that you can dedicate your working hours to. Of course, not everyone is lucky enough to have a room for an office, but all you really need is a corner in your room with a desk and it will make a huge difference. This means when you finish for the day, you can properly leave your work at your desk and relax in the evening. Having a healthy work/life balance is super important as you need to ensure work doesn’t take over your whole life and that you still have time to socialize and do the things you love.

Take Actual Breaks

Another tip that could help with working from home is to take actual breaks. When working from home it can sometimes be difficult to take your full break as you may feel pressured to work through your lunch. However, this is never going to be good for you and you will likely end up feeling way more stressed as you haven’t given your body and mind a proper break. So, when your break comes around, be sure to get up off your desk and take your full break. Additionally, take that time to eat some good food that can fuel you for the rest of the day. Ensuring that your body is fueled and hydrated is super important and you will find that you end up feeling more motivated and ready for the rest of the day.