Ever heard of a remote-zombie? Isn't it? This is how it lies. It is one of the most common side effects of working from home and affects those stuck in the squirrel wheel. (Don't worry. It also affects the best)
We back the band.
You fixed to your home office, maybe a screen, keyboard, mouse, headphones and an office chair. But time passed and you became too comfortable. So comfortable that it's been three days since you left the house. The fruit is late, the milk begins to reach the cottage cheese stage and there is only the corner piece left of the loaf of bread. When was the last time you wore anything other than your sweatpants? Do you recognize yourself?
You've become a remote-zombie.
Teleworking (which is good for productivity) makes you (according to studies) work more from home than in the office. Actually as much as 43% more according to OWL Lab.
Unfortunately, not everything is gold and green forests, there is a downside to working from home. The risk of feeling lonely and isolated can lead to depression and burnout. Many have experienced this in 2020. They have simply become remote-zombies.
When working from home, there is a high risk that you will become a remote-zombie. Loneliness creeps in and isolation becomes more and more palpable. It is no longer as amazing to work from home as it was in the beginning. Negative emotions tend to creep in and you need to make an effort to keep them away.
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I have worked remotely for longer periods of time in my career and have done well. My formula has been to find a balance between physical activity, healthy eating, friends and family. These are the pillars of your well-being and when you work at home this becomes extra important because you need something that makes you come out. Something that breaks the pattern.
Here I share some (slightly odd) and quirky tips that have helped me from falling into a downward spiral. The goal is not to get stuck in the squirrel wheel and to have a varied everyday life.
7 odd ways to maintain balance in everyday life when working from home
1. Plan what to wear the night before.
It's easy for you to fall into a pattern. You know, the same sweater every day, you sit down in front of the computer 2 minutes after you wake up. And that's not good. It may seem unnecessary at first but dressing as if you were going to the office has its advantages. You will not only look professional, you will also feel more professional, just as if you were in the office. You'll feel better about it, believe me.
But it doesn't just stop at the upholstery. Assume that what completely can happen, just like in the office. Then you will be ready for anything, a digital coffee, an ad hoc meeting with the boss or the milk running out so you have to go shopping.
2. Create an effective morning routine
It's time to wake up. Start the day in the best way BUT make it easy for you and don't stress. To have a productive day, it is important that you are well rested.
- Find your circadian rhythm. Try to go to bed the same time every day and keep this even on weekends. Finding your own circadian rhythm will help you with your inner sleep clock, making it natural for you to wake up at the same time every morning.
- Just as I wrote about above. Prepare the night before for a stress-free morning.
- Do something that raises your heart rate, a morning walk, Yoga or why not a bike ride.
- Wake up your brain by reading interesting articles, a short morning meditation. This will get you ready to take on your duties.
Establishing routines and keeping to one's habits is important to be able to manage stress and anxiety.
3. Set a rule for going out
No, it's not a joke. When you get 10 minutes of sunshine a day and the weather is as it usually is in a January month, it becomes easy to stay inside. It is important that you get out at least once a day, set a reminder so you don't hide it. I know what you're thinking! Reminder? I remember going out. No you don't! When you set the reminder, it becomes a commitment and then the likelihood that you will implement it increases.
Think of it this way: In the past, you had the commute time to and from work. Spend that time going outside and getting some fresh air. Regular physical activity leads to increased productivity and it is a key factor in achieving a work-life balance.
4. Always build playlists
Listening to music is wonderful, it evokes positive emotions and reduces the stress hormone cortisol. Research shows that most of us step down or stop discovering new music altogether after the age of 30! Data from Spotify demonstrates that at the age of 33, it is likely that a listener will never listen to new music again.
New music makes you susceptible to learning new things because it lowers the stress hormone cortisol. Log on to your music service and start creating new playlists for tomorrow, it's not only stimulating it's also fun! I would like to take the opportunity to tell you about Spotify's amazing playlist called Discover Weekly, it is a playlist that is generated every week with new music that is customized for you.
5. Place things that need attention out of reach.
When you work alone, it is easy to skip breaks or breaks, but the fact is that breaks are an important part of productivity. It's important that you take regular breaks so you don't end up sitting in your office chair all day
- Leave your phone in the kitchen. When you get notifications you need to go to the kitchen to check the mobile. This assumes that you do not receive notifications every two minutes.
- Do not keep snacks or drinks within easy reach. Go up and get it when you want something.
- Have a wireless headset so you can get into the habit of always walking around your home when you're on call. I have it and I cut about 5000 steps during the working day.
What I want to say is that you should move and not sit still for long periods of time. It is bad for the body and for productivity. Try to move for a moment every hour and if you have an Apple Watch, you are used to the notifications âTime to moveâ So... listen to the watch.
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6th. Look at your favvo comics, yep you read that right
Four different studies have come up with the same results. A one-sided relationship with your TV series can create real feelings and that's great! Watching an episode of The Sopranos when you're feeling down can help you feel less alone and give you the feeling of having your âfriendsâ around you. This phenomenon occurs even if one watches one's favorite streamer on Youtube or Twitch.
7. Socialize with others
You can do all of the above and still lack an essential ingredient for a balanced life: other people.
We need people in our life to make us feel good, it increases our quality of life and our longevity. A number of studies prove this and the New York Times had a very interesting article on just how social isolation is a growing epidemic. When you work at home and do not have colleagues, it does not become as natural and then it is important to make an effort so that you meet others, just like vitamin tablets, you need your daily dose of meeting others. So make sure to meet people -- in the way that fits in times like these.
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Don't get caught in the squirrel wheel
If you feel like you've become a remote zombie, are tired of video meetings and stuck in the proverbial squirrel wheel, it's best to take a step back to see how to break the pattern and then try something new.
Teleworking gives you freedom and flexibility. Take advantage of it and create your own unique habits to make your days challenging and fun. Working from home is a perk, take advantage of that opportunity.
