Mitigating Burnout When Working From Anywhere: Proven Strategies

Mastering Remote Work: Prioritising Time Management and Preventing Burnout

Burnout is one thing, but the long-term impact is even worse. You’ll be disengaged, and even resent your work.

In recent times, remote work has become a prominent choice for many professionals. As we adapt to this new reality, it’s increasingly evident that safeguarding our time is crucial in steering clear of burnout. Regardless of whether you made the transition to remote work before or after the global pandemic, you might notice that you’re working longer hours than in a traditional office setting, aiming to demonstrate your productivity, or struggling to disengage from work due to the absence of clear physical separation.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your remote workload, there’s no need to panic—I’m here to guide you.

Burnout is a serious concern, but its long-term consequences can be even more detrimental. Prolonged burnout may lead to disengagement and a growing sense of resentment toward your work.

So, how can you navigate these challenges to avoid this?

Establish Clear Work Boundaries when Working From Anywhere

Inform your team about your designated working hours and uphold them consistently, particularly when you are operating from a distinct time zone compared to your colleagues. If there’s a necessity to redefine these boundaries, that’s perfectly acceptable, but make sure to communicate this with your team. Effective communication is the linchpin here; sharing this information with your team will empower you to conclude your workday at a reasonable hour and resist the urge to respond to “just one more” email.

Give Yourself More Time

OK so I know there is only SO much time in one day…but this hack has changed my life recently.

Back-to-back meetings can be quite demanding. The key is to cushion these calls with a buffer of at least 5–10 minutes on each side. This brief interval allows you to process the previous meeting and take a moment to recharge. You can make a cup of coffee and step away from your screen before diving into the next call. This will leave you feeling refreshed and ready for the next one. I had been suffering from Zoom fatigue for some time and now I feel a lot better after giving myself that space.

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If You Work Online, Discover an Enjoyable Pastime for After Work

Concluding your workday and having something exciting to anticipate is a great incentive to step away from work. This might involve indulging in your favourite TV series, engaging in a workout, taking a leisurely walk, connecting with a friend, or any other activity that brings you joy. Personally, I find solace in cooking. Unleashing my creativity in the kitchen lets me detach from work during the evenings.

As a Remote Worker is it Important to Find Structure in your Workday

It’s likely you’ll have distractions at home, especially if you’re working at home with family or kids nearby. Set ‘work boundaries’ so you can avoid being interrupted by the kids or distracted by the washing you need to do.

Whilst you’re working, try to clear your physical and mental space from any home chores or other concerns you’ve got — I know it’s easier said than done but removing yourself physically away from the mess, really does help. If there are a million things going on in your head, write them down.

Having structure will help you to separate work and life, and avoid the overwhelming feeling of ‘too much to do, too little time’.

The Importance of Having a Dedicated Workspace as a Remote Worker

Now you’ve got your office boundaries set up, or at least know where you’re working from — make it comfy! Not having the right office set-up can lead to stress and distractions. Limited space? Try redesigning an area of your home where you can set up an office. Avoid working from your bed, it’s really bad for your posture and it’ll be harder to enjoy your downtime. You’ll want to keep your bed clear from working activities so you can switch off later on in the day.

Is burnout a concern for you?

Give yourself time to settle into remote working.

Dedicate some of that time to practice a few of these tips. If you implement one change today, you’ll be on your way to improving your work-life balance in no time.

Take a look at your workstation and ask yourself…” Do I have the right set-up to get the best out of myself today?” If you answered no, change it.

You can thank me later.