Balance Mental Health and WFH

Before we were introduced to ‘the new normal’ in 2020, working from home was rarely a part of everyday corporate culture. Overnight, as the world shifted to a remote working model, learnings to optimize it were mostly based on trial and error. While this form of work has definite benefits, both employees and organizations weren’t prepared to counter the downsides. To counter losses caused by the pandemic, the pressure to be productive increased globally.

In a study conducted this year, it was found that the prolonged impact of WFH has had an increasingly pervasive effect on our mental health with 41.6% of respondents reporting mental health decline since the COVID-19 outbreak. 

So, is working from home bad? When managed correctly, the answer is no. It is important to state that battling the evils of WFH is not an employee-only responsibility. It is shared between both the organization and the workforce. Here are a few ways you can balance work and life and not let one affect the other.

Set manageable goals

When expectations are set correctly, it is possible to achieve, even exceed expectations at work. Create to-do lists and daily shared trackers, so you, your co-workers and management are aware of your work status.

Be efficient with your time at work

It’s easy to get caught up with distractions at home and procrastinate. When you’re faced with big projects, break them down into smaller tasks and complete one before moving to the next. Taking breaks is important but when these breaks eat into your working hours, even small tasks can seem insurmountable.

Ask for help when needed

Because of remote working, communication gets hindered and it often happens that employees take on loads that would earlier be shared. If you see this happening, reach out and ask for help from your co-workers and managers. If you are persistently overwhelmed, it may also be a good idea to seek professional help from a therapist keeping your manager in the loop. 

Take five to unplug

Taking breaks during work should be encouraged. Small breaks help clear your head, improve your ability to deal with stress and make good decisions when you get back to the grind. From tuning in to your favorite song to taking a quick walk around the house to even a quick nap, find what works best for you and your schedule.

Communicate

We all miss face-to-face work conversations and no form of digital medium can replace that. But be it e-mails or video calls, find communication mediums that work best for yourself and your team. When everyone is on the same page, looking at a situation from someone else’s viewpoint can also reduce your personal stress.

While we’re returning back to what once was, working from home may have just made an irrevocable entry into our professional lives. What are the other things that help you balance your mental status while you work from home? Tell us in the comments below.