Today, 51% of companies are in favor of a hybrid-remote work schedule for their employees. As more and more employers begin to adopt this type of working environment, it’s important to prioritize the well-being of individuals regardless of location to help avoid burnout, especially when the lines between work and home are blurred.
Here are some wellness tips to maintain productivity and boost overall success.
Set Boundaries
When you work and live in the same place, it can be challenging to maintain a separation between your personal and professional life. Your home becomes your office and vice versa. Unplugging has become more challenging than ever. Research shows remote workers log an average of four more hours per week than their on-site counterparts, ultimately leading to burnout and poor mental health.
To set healthy boundaries, get ready for the day as if you’re going to an office. Set up a space in your home designated for work tasks and work tasks only. When you sign off for the day, try to avoid checking email or answering calls following that time.
Schedule Breaks
In an office setting, you probably take breaks throughout the day to take a walk, eat lunch, get a coffee, or chat with colleagues. When you’re at home, you may just remain glued to your computer or work the entire day. Set an alarm to take breaks throughout the day at home and in the office so you get into a similar routine.
Avoid Tech Fatigue
In the era of Zoom meetings, everyone is spending more time on computers or technology in general than ever before. Aside from normal time spent on devices like phones, computers, and tablets, this added screen time can be detrimental to your vision. Here are a few ways to combat this:
● Shift out of full screen views to reduce the size of the window relative to your monitor. Also, keep your screens on a lower brightness setting.
● On Zoom calls, hide your self-view or opt for camera off options entirely.
● Use an external keyboard or mouse so you can set your screen up farther away from your face.
● Opt for phone calls when possible.
Promote Wellness in Company Culture
Step challenges, walking groups, and fitness contests are popular among offices and can be translated to remote work environments too. Promoting healthy activities and offering incentives like an extra vacation day to the winner can have a ripple effect on overall wellness and productivity in your employees.
Here are a few ideas to consider:
● Create an office intramural sports team.
● Offer group fitness classes for days employees are in office.
● Encourage walking breaks throughout the day.
● Offer reimbursement for gym memberships and fitness classes or equipment.
Plan Meetings with Purpose
With remote work, “meeting overload” has become a common culprit of burnout. Before you hit send on an invite, be sure you’re only inviting those who truly need to be present and make the meeting as efficient as possible.
No matter where you work from, employee wellness should always be a priority. We hope these tips help you implement some positive practices within your company.