INSIDE: If you’re asking the question, “what is remote work burnout,” then you probably have it. Read on to find out what it is and what you can do about it.
Working from home is the dream of many. You can avoid traffic, annoy coworkers, for the most part, and hopefully spend more time doing the things you love. Sounds great. Good?
Unfortunately, remote work It’s not for everyone. And even those who were born to be part of a remote team can run into problems from time to time. A recent FlexJobs survey showed that 75% of respondents had experienced burnout from remote work. 40% reported experiencing remote employee burnout during the 2020 pandemic specifically.
Remote work burnout is real. Your mental health is important, and loneliness, stress, poor work-life balance, and job burnout can have serious effects. Fortunately, there are a few simple things you can do to ensure happiness and longevity. But first, let’s answer the question, “what is remote work burnout?”
What is remote work burnout?
Millions of people met working remotely for the first time in 2020. Unfortunately this was usually the result of local locks. People not only couldn’t go to the office, they couldn’t go anywhere much.
This made the transition difficult for many. And those who already worked from home? Good. We all need breaks. When your home becomes your office, separating the two can be difficult. It can be stressful. Things can deteriorate quickly, especially in an already difficult time.
It’s not all rainbows and butterflies. There are some definite downfalls in remote work.
And then, you find yourself asking, “what is remote work burnout and do I have it?”
Symptoms of burnout from remote work can include:
- feelings of exhaustion
- Feelings of guilt about working too much or too little
- Ignore things you would normally love to do
- Ignoring people you would normally love to be around
- Panic attacks
- Irritability
- Lack of concentration
- Depression
For those in high-stress jobs to begin with, job burnout can be hard to pin down. You may always feel overwhelmed by work. Maybe your personal life is to blame when the real problem lies in lack of control and negativity in the workplace.
Take some time to do a deep assessment of what you are feeling and experiencing. What makes you feel better? What makes you feel worse? Where does the real dread come in?
If you answered yes to “what is remote work burnout and do I have it?”, all is not lost. We have some tips.
Tips to remedy remote work burnout
Now that you know the answer to what remote work burnout is, we need to figure out what to do about it.
You can fall in love with working from home again. It may not happen overnight, and it will take work. But it is possible.
Set limits
One of the biggest challenges for telecommuters at any given time is limits. When working from home, many feel like they need to be available 24 hours a day. It is also easy to work with. longer hours when you no longer need to worry about driving time. And your computer is always there!
This is one of the main reasons for the depletion of the WFH. Set good boundaries and stick to them. Establish specific work hours and do not deviate. Turn off notifications when you’re off the watch.
The opposite can also be true. If you find yourself doing laundry instead of working, set those limits. Creep at home is just as dangerous as creep at work. It’s hard to work from home, but try to keep the two as far apart as possible.
get enough sleep
This is always the answer for everything. It is not like this? But it really helps. The more exhausted you are, the less productive you are at anything. The lower quality of the work you are completing. And maybe your lack of sleep isn’t just related to work stress.
You might be tempted to watch one more episode before you go to bed because you no longer have a commute. Set some limits for sleep, too. Be consistent.
Get off social media
ah The thing that was supposed to bring us all together has really torn things apart, hasn’t it? Social media is one of the biggest stressors, and not just in relation to asking what remote work burnout is. There are the comparisons. There is politics. There are many “Karens”.
Do yourself a favor. Turn it off. TALK to the people who are important to you. Be present in your real life relationships. If something is really important to his life, you don’t need social networks to inform you about it. And your mind and soul are better off without other people’s drama.
Start your day with “me” time
Instead of waiting to jump out of bed at the last possible alarm, start your morning.
Get up 15 or 30 minutes earlier. Use this extra time to meditate or journal. Sign up for a fitness app and use this time for a quick workout or a yoga class. You can even do something as simple as walk in place or stretch while watching the morning news.
To go outside
Even if you can’t go anywhere, you can still find a way to get some fresh air. Nature does wonders for the mind and soul. Take a quick walk around the block. Take your morning coffee on the patio.
drink more water
Another answer for everything. The fact is, most of us don’t drink enough water. This can cause headaches and tiredness. It can even weaken your immune system. Nobody has time for that! Always keep fluids within easy reach and hydrate regularly throughout the day.
Be aware of your time
Often when we feel stressed and like there aren’t enough hours in the day, it’s because we’re not really spending our time like we tell ourselves. You might think you put in a full eight hours today, but you really extended your lunch a bit more to fold one more load of laundry.
Instead of closing at 5 o’clock like you said you would, you let another 30 minutes go by answering emails. Every minute adds up. Pay attention to how you are spending yours.
Socialize
Human beings were not built for social isolation. That includes remote employees. We crave interaction with others.
Build time into your day to socialize. If it can’t be Friday drinks with your coworkers or Tuesday lunch with your “best friend from work,” it certainly can be something else. Make a new friend in the neighborhood. Join a book club. Call your mom. (Just make sure you call. Don’t text.)
We intrinsically need a sense of belonging and community. The traditional workplace provided that for many. Find an alternative. You may find that you enjoy the new company more!
Final Thoughts on Remote Work Burnout
You asked “what is remote work burnout” probably because you are experiencing the symptoms. But now, at least you know what to do about it.
You can get back to enjoying being a remote worker and avoid burnout, and in the long run. Promote welfare, staying connected, relaxing, staying active and taking care of your physical health. These are all important pieces of the puzzle that is you.
