How to keep a Good Work/Life Balance while working from home

Omicron, a new Covid variant has been identified. There are concerns that it may be more contagious and less responsive to vaccines. The government have announced new Covid rules in England, including working from home again if possible.

Working from home is becoming more common as diverse businesses run digitally. It can be difficult to maintain a healthy work-life balance with millions of UK workers working from home. The lines between work and leisure are often blurred.

Poor work-life balance relationships lead to excessive stress, which in turn can have adverse effects on employees’ health and their happiness. Additionally, the work that is completed is less likely to be of high quality and ultimately, productivity levels are lower.

Be accountable for your actions and stay true to your goals. We all know that peer pressure and supervision by managers play a major role in our motivation for work. It is easier to be productive and do the job when your bosses can easily see what you’re doing. Working from home is quite a different experience. There are no checks to ensure you stay on track. Over-work can be a problem. An office structure gives you the ability to have a balance between work and your personal life.

Why not try some of Haywood Office Services helpful tips and ideas on maintaining a good work-life balance.

Get Dressed

Although it may seem appealing to work from home in our PJs, this approach could have negative consequences for our productivity, and mental well-being. Getting dressed makes you more productive as it signals to your brain that you are in work mode. It is equally important to get out of work clothes at the end of each day and change into casual clothes.

What Should You Wear When You Work From Home?

You should be comfortable at your desk, even though it might not be as well-designed as the office. You’ve probably heard all about the benefits of dressing properly for work at home. It is important to dress comfortably, loose-fitting clothing in soft fabrics is a great choice, and wear proper shoes.

You want to appear presentable but not too casual for your online meetings.

Follow A Routine

It is important to have a consistent routine when working from home. This includes getting up every morning, showering, and wearing comfortable clothing. For a happy work-life balance, whether you are working from home or have your own business, it is essential to have a regular working routine.

Your energy, motivation, and performance are directly related to your mental and physical well-being, regardless of whether you work for yourself or for a company from home. You can positively influence this by creating a healthy routine that encourages getting up, moving, and getting ready.

It is important to have the same start and end times every day to create a sense of normality in your workplace. This provides a structure for the day and allows you to have a set time for work and relaxation. Set aside a time for lunch and a time to complete any errands you may have.

If you have trouble remembering the times for starting and finishing work, we suggest using a whiteboard and setting an alarm for start time, lunchtime and finish times.

Create A Designated Workspace

Although not everyone can afford a home office space, it is important to set aside a designated area for work that is separate from the rest of your home. You can avoid distractions from your daily life and help your mind concentrate on work by creating a separate area.

It’s important to make your workspace as large as you can. This is not a place you would want to spend the night in, or even on weekends. Avoid working in your bed. Your mind will be less able to switch off during work hours and you will worry about work instead of relaxing.

Get Out And Do Some Exercise

Exercise is a great way of taking a break from the office and breaking down your workday into manageable segments. Go for a walk or run, do some yoga or any other exercise you enjoy. Exercise can help to keep your mind active and to differentiate between work and leisure.

Not only is it good for your health, but also your mental and physical well-being. This allows you to unplug from the work mode and makes it easier to relax at the end of a stressful day.

Decorate your home office with furniture designed purposely for an office

We suggested decorating with office furniture to increase productivity when working at home.

Here at Haywoods, we have all your home office needs for you when working from home, we can also come out and design a made to measure home office.

This is not only a way to encourage a positive work ethic but also allows you to set boundaries between your weekend and leisure activities so that you can maintain a healthy work/life balance.

To create a conducive working environment at your home, choose from our suitable office desks and office chairs. You can also keep clutter away with our office storage.

Stay Connected

Working from home can have its advantages, but it can make you feel lonely. However, there are many ways you can stay connected with the people that matter to you - improving your mental well-being as well.

Schedule video calls, and don’t forget to pick up your phone. Human interaction is key in work and at home. If you have any concerns about working at home, talk to your boss or colleagues.

Your colleagues may feel the same way you do. Ask them how they are doing and see if there is a way you can help each other. Take the time to socialise online - schedule a digital coffee break, or Friday online get together.

You can feel like you are working 24/7 when you work from home. A reason to stop working can boost morale throughout the day and help create a more balanced work/life balance.

Even if you stay at home, you have many options. From cooking/baking as a family, playing board games, watching family movies, taking your dog on long walks, doing that DIY work you keep putting off, there are plenty of other things to keep you busy. Do your hobbies or find a new hobby or just keep doing what you love from home.

It’s great to plan out future things with your family members, such as going for long walks, having drinks out or firing up the barbecue. This gives you something positive to look forward to at the end of a stressful week. It also helps you get away from work when you need it.