More than 40 percent of Americans are working from home because of the coronavirus.
But while being able to roll out of bed and walk to your office might seem like a dream, it carries more challenges than you might expect. One is creating healthy work life balances.
if you’re struggling with working from home, keep reading for a few simple tips to make the transition go more smoothly.
Create a Dedicated Home Office
The first thing you should do to create a work life balance from home is to give yourself a dedicated workspace.
You don’t have to have an entire room in your home to turn into an office. A desk in a corner of your bedroom or even a space on your kitchen table can be turned into the perfect space with a little work.
Begin by clearing away distractions. Clear away clutter and give yourself a clear workspace. If you are easily distracted, move items like televisions, books, and magazines out of reach.
Then, add your computer or laptop and any tools you need to get your work done. Finish by adding a few items that inspire or motivate you.
Get an Extra Hand With Your Kids’ Schooling
One of the hardest parts of learning how to maintain work life balance is navigating other changes brought on by COVID-19.
For working parents, that may mean also overseeing your children while they’re learning at home. Even if your kids have gone back to in-person learning, they may still have days during the week when they work from home. Or they may get home before your workday ends.
To help you stay focused and give yourself plenty of time to get your job done, you might opt to get a little extra help.
Getting a part-time sitter or signing your children up for private tutoring can help give you a few hours when you don’t need to be a teacher, mom, and employee. The latter is also a great way to help your kids get ahead, especially as the coronavirus has caused many children to fall behind.
Read more here to learn about private tutoring options.
Walk Away at the End of the Workday
Another challenge of making the switch to working from home is having your home suddenly become your office, your lunch space, and your house.
This means that even though the workday is done, you’re still in “your office.” For many, this can make it difficult to turn off their work brain when the workday is done.
If you’re struggling with work life balance under quarantine, it’s time to set some boundaries. When your designated workday is finished, walk away from your desk or workspace. Take a walk, play with your kids, or read a book. Whatever you do, resist the urge to answer emails or keep working when you don’t need to.
Creating Healthy Work Life Balances
Creating healthy work life balances is more difficult than you might think. But by creating a dedicated workspace, getting a little home with homeschooling, and walking away from work at the end of the day, you can master the work-from-home life.
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