Setting healthy boundaries when working from home
Earlier this month a study was published indicating that the 4th most cited reason for leaving social care work was having to work from home.This contrasted with another study in a tech company saying that working from home was not only positively regarded but led to better performance. It seems that depending upon having the choice and the nature of the work you do, are all important. In the case of the social workers the problem centred on being able to create distance. One said "When I worked in the office, I could drive home and leave the work behind. When you're working from home, the memories are within your home environment of what you're discussing with people, and actually it's contaminating."
If you regularly work from home you probably already know how easy it is to let work seep into every part of your day. Without the clear boundaries of an office and the commute home, it's easy to find yourself checking emails at 10pm or thinking about projects during dinner. So with that in mind, if you regularly work from home how can you create a mental separation from home and work? These five tips might help you unplug and maintain a healthy work-life balance when your office is your living room:
1. Create a "Commute" Ritual
When you work from home, there’s no commute to signal the start or end of the workday. While this is great for avoiding traffic, it can make it harder to switch gears. Try creating a ritual that mimics a commute. Whether it's taking a walk around the block, making a cup of tea, or simply closing your laptop and tidying up your workspace, having a consistent routine can help your brain shift from work mode to relaxation mode.
2. Set Clear Boundaries with Your Workspace
One of the biggest challenges of remote work is that your home becomes your office, and your office becomes your home. To avoid letting work take over your personal space, try to set up a dedicated workspace that’s separate from where you relax. Even if you live in a small apartment, a specific corner of the room can become your "office." When you step away from this space, mentally clock out. This physical boundary can help reinforce the mental boundary between work and personal time.
3. Use Technology to Your Advantage
Technology is a double-edged sword. It can make remote work possible, but it can also keep you tethered to your job 24/7. To truly unplug, use technology to help enforce your boundaries. Set your work apps to "Do Not Disturb" after work hours, schedule emails to send the next morning, or even use a time tracking app to remind you when it’s time to log off. Also, don’t be afraid to log out of work-related accounts on your personal devices. Out of sight, out of mind!
4. Plan Post-Work Activities
Having something to look forward to after work can be a great motivator to actually stop working. Whether it's a hobby, exercise, or just watching your favourite TV programme, scheduling post-work activities can help you stick to your end-of-day routine. Knowing that you have plans can make it easier to resist the urge to “just do one more thing” for work, and it gives you a clear reason to unplug.
5. Practice Mindfulness
Mindfulness might sound like a buzzword (and it can be!), but it’s a powerful tool for helping you stay present and avoid overthinking work issues outside of work hours. Try practicing mindfulness techniques, such as deep breathing, meditation, or simply focusing on the moment you’re in. These can help you break free from the mental loop of work thoughts. Even just a few minutes of mindfulness can help you feel more grounded and present, making it easier to disconnect from the workday.
Working remotely offers incredible flexibility, but it’s important to remember that flexibility doesn’t mean being on-call all the time. By creating boundaries, using technology wisely, and making time for activities that recharge you, you can enjoy the best parts of remote work while still giving yourself the downtime you need. So go ahead, close that laptop, and give yourself permission to truly unwind—you’ve earned it!
We’d love to know what other habits you have found are helpful in maintaining good home-work boundaries - do share in the comments below.