Ways to Support a Healthy Work-Life Balance When You Work From Home

If you’re one of the 60% of Americans who now work from home- either part time or full time- you may already know the difficulties that come from trying to maintain a healthy work-life balance when work and life are blended. 

In a study published by the National Library of Medicine, researchers found people who work from home, even part time, reported an increase in productivity over the past two years. However, these work-from-home individuals also reported experiencing higher levels of stress and reduced work-life balance.

Working from home has its freedoms and benefits, but those who work from home should be mindful of maintaining and nurturing a healthy work-life balance.

What is work-life balance, anyway?

The term "work-life balance" refers to how well you manage your personal life and career. It involves balancing your responsibilities at home and at work by first viewing yourself as a complete being with emotional and relational needs outside of work. This includes having enough time for family, friends, hobbies, exercise, and other interests.

Those who have a healthy work-life balance are able to allocate their time proportionally in relation to their priorities, interests, and relationships. They often have boundaries around work that prevents them from overworking or spending personal time in work-mode.

Maintaining work-life balance when working from home

Creating a healthy work-life balance, especially if you work from home, is achieved through clear communication, established priorities, and strong boundaries. Here are some tips on how to make the most of working at home.

Set boundaries

You should set boundaries when working from home. This will help you avoid burnout and keep yourself focused on work when you’re in work-mode. It’s important to establish rules for yourself so you don’t end up wasting too much time on non-work related activities and vice-versa.

Create a designated work area

If you can, try to work in the same area every day - whether that’s at a desk, the kitchen table, or a specific corner of a room. Making this space your “work zone” will help train your brain to focus and keep work from evading personal time when you log off for the day.

Create a starting-work ritual

This tip is especially important if you don’t have a consistent space you can dedicate to work. Create a set of small rituals to help train your brain to get into and out of work-mode. For example, light a candle or write a mini to-do list prior to working, then blow out that candle, check off that list and turn off your computer as you wrap-up. Small rituals have a big impact on our brains and help us move from one focus to another.

Manage distractions

Turn off notifications if you can and manage any distractions that might wear down your focus. Try ear plugs or a sound machine to help soften noises and train your focus.

Take breaks

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your workload, take a break - even if it’s just for five minutes. It will help you recharge, destress, and come back to your work with a clear heart and mind. 

Prioritize self-care

Set aside an hour or more (even a full day!) each week where you won’t check email or respond to texts. Instead, focus on something else. Read a book, start a morning routine, listen to music, meditate, or do whatever helps you relax.

Take time off, when you can

One of the easiest ways to improve your work/life balance is to take some time off. If you're feeling overwhelmed by your workload, consider taking a few days off to recharge. You might also find that you enjoy spending more time with your family when you do take time off. And remember, just because you can work at home even when you’re sick - it doesn’t mean you should. Prioritize rest and recovery as if you were working in an office. 

Practice stress management

Managing stress is one of the most effective ways to improve your work life balance. It's easy to feel stressed out at work, especially if you're juggling multiple projects at once. However, there are things you can do to manage stress and keep yourself focused.

Find meaningful work and/or hobbies

If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed by too much work, try to identify what aspects of your job are meaningful to you. You might be able to reduce some of your perceived workload by focusing on tasks that bring meaning to your life. If that isn’t possible, find hobbies that excite you and dive into those after the work day has ended.

With flexibility and the autonomy of a work-from-home schedule comes with unique difficulties. However, with strong and clear boundaries, work day rituals, and healthy stress management, working from home can be beneficial and productive.