The great work from home experiment has dragged on for six months and running, and it’s taking a toll.
40% of the workers surveyed said that longer hours since the pandemic is one reason they’ve experienced burnout.
Employed workers are more than 3 times as likely to report poor mental health now versus before the pandemic. A sizeable 18% of employed workers say they are struggling with mental health issues, up from 5%, and 42% say their stress levels are currently high or very high.
More than three-quarters (76%) of respondents agree that workplace stress affects their mental health, leading to depression or anxiety, and 17% strongly agree.
It’s not just working longer hours.
Other triggers have been the daily demands of juggling work and family, caregiving for kids and aging relatives, while simultaneously ramping up new tech skills for communicating with bosses and team members and managing projects. Meanwhile without adequate social interaction for those who are not surrounded by family. loneliness can create depression and a range of other emotional and physical health complications.
While some workers are returning to the office, many are not, especially workers over 50, who might be vulnerable to the health risks associated with Covid-19, or are working remotely in part-time remote retirement jobs.
Here are some tips to help mitigate the burnout:
Set workplace boundaries
This is essential to making remote work a success for you and your employer. “The secret to setting boundaries is to intentionally and purposefully incorporate meetings, breaks, vacations, calls, coffee with friends, and activities into your calendar. By doing this, it will force good behavior and alleviate your burnout.
Nurture the human touch
One thing we lose when we work from home is the energy, engagement, and positive vibes we get from laughing at a co-worker’s joke, making eye contact with someone and smiling, or kibitzing as we wait for the coffee to brew.
Now that lockdown restrictions have eased, plan time to meet friends or other remote workers you know who live nearby. This can be a coffee, lunch, or even an after-work drink.
It’s a boost psychologically. Set a specific time period for the break. (And, of course, don’t let your guard down — wear your mask and practice appropriate social distancing).
Call someone you love, say, your mom, or your sister. Laugh out loud. Sip a cup of tea on your porch. Whatever it is that helps you pause and recharge, do it. I like to take a break every few hours and stretch, but you will figure out what works for you. These breaks are essential to your wellness.
Set up your ‘office’ in a new spot
Changing your “work-space” scenery can give you a boost. You might opt to work on the outdoor patio (physically distanced) of a coffee shop, or an independent bookstore with a café, or your front porch.
Don’t forget to eat with an eye to nutrition
It’s super easy to forget to stop to eat properly and simply snack all day on chips and sweets. It’s important not to skip meals to keep your brain and body energy humming. Stay hydrated with plenty of water and keep fruit or veggies nearby.
Declutter your office
Decluttering is liberating and empowering. It’s something you can control. You’re saying, “This is valuable; this is not.” It’s a physical, practical way to engage in making decisions about your life and what you want to do with it. Getting rid of stuff brings a new perspective.
Find a positive image to inspire you
You might tape an inspiring image on your office wall–away from your computer and phone. That way, you’ll have to turn to look directly at it, which can be transporting. The very act of shifting your attention away from your computer is a respite. It’s reviving and centering at the same time.
