News

Actions

Five ways to avoid burnout while working from home

Posted at 3:00 PM, May 27, 2020
and last updated 2020-05-27 17:09:33-04

NORFOLK, Va. - Working from home is becoming the new normal for many of us, and it may stay that way.

One survey last month found 30 - 40% of the workforce will likely do at least some work remotely after the pandemic.

Some people are experiencing burnout trying to adjust, though.

Moe Vela with TransparentBusiness says there are five ways to manage that.

  • Create a designated office space to clearly distinguish work life from personal and follow a daily routine.
  • Take time to learn some best practices through online courses on sites like Linkedin.
  • Stay connected with people in the office with a mix of video and phone calls.
  • Communicate with your manager to make sure your daily goals are clear.
  • Take small breaks throughout the day.

Once people can start getting out of the house more and kids can return to school or daycare, Vela says it will likely get a lot easier.

"I think that once that happens, that kind of tendency or that inclination to feel isolated, lonely, anxious or burned out will slowly subside," said Vela, "because people will be able to go out and be a little bit more active."

Vela says both employers and employees have a lot to gain by teleworking.

Related: Panel provides tips on how to stay mentally healthy during stressful times

“Employers, they're saving on the average of $11,000 per employee per year. Less commercial office space rent, office-related expenses, so on and so forth, less absenteeism from employees, a healthier workforce, a happier workforce and guess what - that means productivity up all the way, sometimes up to 50 percent higher productivity. And there’s study after study that show that employees win with what I alluded to earlier, which is this incredibly improved work-life balance. You get two to three hours of your day back by not having to commute,”
said Vela.

Another benefit for employees, you’re able to save some of the money you would normally spend on gas or transportation.

Click here for full coronavirus coverage.