With the onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic and the subsequent lockdowns, millions worldwide have switched over to remote work or work-from-home. Working remotely is a delightful thing as it not only allows us to work in a relaxed environment but also enables us to produce the most efficient work. The transition over to remote work has made the entire global workforce more creative, productive, and, most importantly, healthier.

However, the new reality blurred the line between our personal and professional lives, leaving many employees struggling to set a healthy boundary between the two. In addition to that, the world is entering a phase of recession, and unemployment rates are at an all time high. This has led to many professionals working more hours to demonstrate their commitment towards their employers. Besides, the shift to remote work has been particularly stressful for working parents who have to take care of their children’s needs. With no signs of the situation returning to normal anytime soon, the predicament has left the global remote working workforce susceptible to burnouts. 

Here are a few recommendations to avoid work burnouts while working remotely or from home:

Follow a fixed routine

While it may be tempting to go for an extra few minutes of sleep in the morning, it is advisable to stick to your regular work routine. Maintaining a fixed working hour helps us to get into the work mindset and be productive. The best thing is to create a regular morning and evening routine. For instance, have a quick workout or a meditation session in the morning just before getting started for work. In the evening, take a walk or listen to a few songs before getting back to work.

Avoid long breaks and opt for short breaks

In order to do your work efficiently, it is recommended to split the day into a number of segments and take short breaks in between each split. Going for a nice walk or chatting with one of your neighbors’ gives your mind some break from work and your body some much needed movement – which is vital if the remote work is a sitting in front of a desktop kind of a job. Simultaneously, one must be very careful not to overextend the short breaks into long ones. Avoiding long breaks is the key to success as your mind and body might not be able to get back to the work zone after a long interval.

Stick to Priorities

When you are working from home, work is never going to stop; there is always more to do. There is going to be no-one to tell you to go home or that the office is closed. Therefore, in such a situation it is very important to communicate with your colleagues regarding the work that needs to be done in priority and the tasks that can wait for a while. 

Make time for human interaction

Maintaining regular human interaction is perhaps the most crucial aspect to avoid burnout. We, humans are social animals and are biologically hardwired for social interactions. The most detrimental effect of the ongoing lockdowns has been undoubtedly on the mental side of things. One of the most challenging aspects of working remotely is the lack of human interaction. We no longer have our colleagues beside us when working remotely. Regular human interactions help boost our morale and keeps us motivated for work. Whenever you are unable to concentrate on work, feel free to talk with your neighbor or call on of your friends over for some time, but do so, maintaining social distancing norms, and avoid group gatherings at all cost.