Emily Kanter 
As the pandemic continues to force business to work out of office, many people are finding it difficult to avoid work-from-home fatigue.
Earlier this week, Philadelphia announced new restrictions on businesses, events and gatherings, and other activities to help flatten the COVID-19 curve. Philadelphia Health Commissioner, Dr. Tom Farley said, “We may be tired of COVID, but COVID’s not tired of us.”
Rewind to March during the early stages of the pandemic, when working remotely briefly had its perks, such as sweatpants and a nonexistent commute. That got old, fast, as many families struggled to find the balance between their work lives and their home lives. For more on that, check out Veronica Mikitka Reed’s blog on how Public Relations During the Pandemic is More Personal.
As our “new normal” continues to change daily and test our patience, here are a few suggestions to beat the stress and avoid work-from-home fatigue:
Get out of the house:
With daylight savings and the seasons shifting towards cooler weather, it’s important now more than ever to get outside, get moving, and get some air and sunlight.
- Studies show that being outdoors in fresh air increases energy by 90 percent.
- Exercise, even a short walk, is an effective way to relieve stress and remain physically and mentally healthy.
- Sunlight can boost Vitamin D levels, which increase the mood, especially in colder months.
Take Breaks:
Breaks are a great way to refocus and should always be part of your day. Think about the time you spend chatting with colleagues in the office– it’s important to continue to take mental breaks while you are working from home.
- Regular, short breaks help to avoid burnout and separate work from personal lives.
- Physically distance yourself from your workspace and your computer to fully allow your brain to reset.
- Stand up and stretch– stretching increases blood flow, which increases energy.
Catch Up Regularly with Coworkers:
While we may not be talking about it frequently with coworkers, the coronavirus pandemic is causing everyone stress and anxiety. Checking in with colleagues is an easy way to provide support for each other during this isolating time.
Know When to Call it a Day:
It’s easy for work and home to blur because they are one and the same now, but establishing boundaries and knowing when to end the day is key to remaining sane and avoiding a burnout.
- If possible, designate a workspace where you can get up and walk away from “the office.”
- For example, working from your couch makes it difficult to associate your couch with relaxing as opposed to working.
- Maintain a schedule and a routine as much as possible, like leaving the office around the same time each day.
Thank you for reading our Insight on how to avoid the work-from-home fatigue during the pandemic. For more tips on conducting business from home, check out our Insights, “Tips for Creating Social Media Content While Working From Home,” and “Creating Video Content From Home.”
Posted In COVID-19