How to Avoid Burnout in the New WFH Setup
In hindsight, screen fatigue is not a new occurrence during the lockdowns that forced employees to work from home. However, there is a difference in the office and remote office setup which may contribute to experiencing all types of fatigue people experience these days.
Working from home has many benefits: Workers don't have to get up early to work. There is no traffic and co-commuters to deal with. There is no waiting time to find a table in a restaurant.
But working in an office has its advantages, too. For one, there are other employees people can interact with which allows them to take off their eyes even for a few minutes. There are also meal breaks that give employees the time to escape their workstation, walk a few blocks from their office, and see more warm bodies milling around a coffee shop or restaurant.
With telecommuting, employees are cramped in their four-wall home office almost all day. Interacting with coworkers requires them to look at the screen for a videoconference. Mealtime is only a few steps away and won't allow them to see outside.
Avoiding burn out, stress, and cabin fever may be difficult this time when movements are restricted. Governments imposed lockdowns to help curb the spread of coronavirus. But there are small things that people can do at home to keep them from thinking too much of the situation and focus on accomplishing tasks sans pressure.
1. Stick to a schedule
At the office, the company requires employees to clock in at around 9 a.m. and clock out at 5 p.m. This can be possible at the home office. It is important to have a structure so things won't look — and feel scattered. This also gives employees to look forward to the end of the day for rest.
2. Take breaks
Aside from the "lunch break," employees can take 5-minute breaks when they feel they have been inactive for hours. There are apps that would remind people that they been sitting far too long and may need to take a quick break. And during those breaks, do some simple exercises or stretching to wake up sore muscles. These breaks also keep the eyes away from the computer screen which may help ease eye strain.
3. Have regular exercise
The time employees used to spend on commuting can now be used to do some morning exercises. The routine doesn't have to be complicated. People have not been walking a lot these days but they still have to keep moving. There are exercise videos online that one can follow or training apps that provide workout plans for different levels.
4. Free your weekends
If it's possible, free the weekends. Do the things you cannot do during weekdays. Read a book. Do some gardening. Bathe the pets. Wash the car. Cook. Or fix something in the house that needs fixing. Doing "normal" things somehow gives comfort that life goes one. That there are things that need tending that gives a semblance of normalcy in life.
5. Pick up a new hobby
You should not be forced to be productive during your free time. If a new hobby is people watching by your bedroom window, then that is not only fine but great. If you have always wanted to learn how to draw, do it. If you once dreamt of becoming an illustrator, then, by all means, try it. It is never too late, no matter what age you are in, to do something new.
It is still not clear how long will the world cope with the new environment. It may be difficult for some but they can find ways to deal with the situation.