When remote workers feel unmotivated, disconnected, and dissatisfied with their work environment, it is often referred to as remote work burnout. This condition might be a symptom of burnout or just a temporary setback.
Regardless of the severity, there are ways to address the issue and return to being productive and happy.
Why Can Remote Work Be Exhausting?
Remote work exhaustion can arise due to a variety of factors, despite the flexibility and benefits it offers. Here are some key reasons why remote work can be draining:
- Blurred Boundaries: The lack of a physical separation between work and personal space can make it difficult to establish clear boundaries. This can lead to constant work-related thoughts and a sense of being “always on.”
- Isolation and Loneliness: Working alone can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness, especially if you’re used to the social interaction of an office environment.
- Lack of Structure: Without the structure of a traditional workday, it can be challenging to stay motivated and productive. This can lead to feelings of overwhelm and burnout.
- Technology Fatigue: Constant reliance on technology for work can lead to digital fatigue and eye strain, which can contribute to exhaustion.
- Unhealthy Work Habits: Working from home can make it easier to develop unhealthy habits, such as sitting for long periods, neglecting breaks, and eating unhealthy snacks.
- Difficulty Unplugging: The constant access to work devices and emails can make it difficult to truly disconnect and relax, leading to a sense of never-ending work.
- Lack of Social Interaction: While remote work can offer flexibility, it can also limit social interaction, which is essential for well-being.
- Increased Pressure to Perform: The pressure to prove oneself and maintain productivity while working remotely can be significant, leading to stress and exhaustion.
Ways to Overcome Remote Work Burnout
Below is a list of proven strategies to combat remote work burnout and enhance your experience in a remote office.
1. Identify the Root Cause
Unlike office coworkers who share the same work environment, virtual coworkers work from their own homes. Various environmental factors can lead to less-than-ideal home working conditions.
The first step in addressing remote work issues is to identify the source of the disruption. This could include feelings of isolation from working alone, lack of privacy due to sharing space with friends or family, or blurred lines between personal life and work.
Once the root cause is identified, appropriate actions can be taken. For example, to maintain balance, you could use a lockable door in your workspace, set specific times for work-related communication, or engage socially with friends or coworkers.
2. Create a Comfortable Environment
One of the key ways to prevent burnout while working remotely is to create a supportive and comfortable workspace. An improper home office setup can contribute to remote work fatigue.
A sturdy, spacious desk, ergonomic chair, and proper computer monitor can greatly affect the home working experience. Establishing a professional workspace not only enhances the connection between home and office but also boosts productivity and creates an effective work environment.
Make sure to take advantage of available home office services or discuss options with your employer, as many companies now offer financial assistance for setting up a home office.
Additionally, you can enhance your workspace by keeping healthy snacks and water nearby. This can also encourage a healthier lifestyle, reduce distractions from searching for items, and improve your physical well-being.
Consider adding artistic decorations, indoor plants, or your favorite mug to your workspace to add joy and comfort.
Remember, you have the flexibility to modify or rearrange your workspace to improve your working environment.
3. Meet Coworkers in Real Life
While building a virtual team can be enjoyable, many people miss meeting coworkers in person.
It can feel strange working with someone you’ve never met. Occasionally meeting up with remote coworkers can be beneficial. Team members living in or out of town can meet and spend time together.
If you live and work alone, you might consider finding friends or attending clubs or events to get some face-to-face interaction. Participating in activities outside of your work environment can boost your mood and make your workdays more lively.
4. Track Your Habits
One of the best ways to combat boredom while working from home is to track your habits. Unhealthy work habits can sometimes lead to low spirits when working remotely.
For instance, taking too many midday breaks might result in working late into the night. Similarly, spending too much time in Zoom meetings can leave you feeling frustrated or inefficient.
Keeping a record of your work activities can help identify and change unproductive behaviors.
On the flip side, remote workers often don’t receive the same recognition as those working in an office.
This can make them feel less effective and productive than they actually are. By tracking achievements and good habits, you might realize you’ve accomplished more than you thought, even if there’s still work to be done.
This method provides a better way to track your progress and performance more accurately and encourages you to keep working effectively.
5. Seek a Change of Scenery
Finding a new place to work is one of the best ways to reduce remote work burnout. Changing your work environment can refresh your energy and help you refocus.
For example, digital nomads often change their workplaces because of their dynamic lifestyle, setting up temporary offices in different cities and countries while working.
You don’t need to travel far to start working remotely. Simply working from a new location for a few hours, a day, or a week can help break the monotony.
If there are no other options, trying to work in a different outdoor area of your home or apartment could also be a solution. Easy options include visiting a nearby café, using coworking spaces for a day, staying at a hotel temporarily, or swapping workspaces with a friend.
6. Vary Your Daily Tasks
Remote workers usually focus and are more productive because they are free from office distractions. However, repeating the same tasks over and over can lead to boredom and fatigue. This usually happens when they perform the same tasks throughout the day without interacting with coworkers, as they would in an office setting.
Working alone from home can make days feel overly predictable, with little excitement, uncertainty, or stimulating challenges, while social interactions in an office can break the monotony.
To reduce fatigue and boredom, mix up your routine. You can assist other departments, look for opportunities to enhance your skills, or take on special projects that interest you.
Read More Pros and Cons of Remote Work
7. Create a New Work Routine
While many remote workers enjoy flexibility in their schedules, habits often bind them to traditional working hours, such as the 9-to-5 routine.
However, there’s no reason to stick to a work schedule that doesn’t suit you if you find you’re more productive outside of typical working hours and your employer doesn’t require a specific schedule. Following your natural work rhythm can enhance your health while working remotely.
For example, waking up earlier than usual, working at night, or taking long midday breaks if needed for non-work tasks.
You can adjust your work schedule as needed since there are no physical limitations in the office.
Once you find a routine you like, it’s important to avoid getting too attached to it. Feelings and habits can change over time, and it’s normal to adjust your work habits as needed. To ensure that your team can work with you without issues, it’s essential to communicate your availability.
8. Reestablish Boundaries Between Work and Home
The lack of sufficient separation between your personal life and work is one of the primary causes of burnout from working from home.
Remote workers often check emails late into the night, complete tasks between meetings, or even work in the same place where they sleep or relax, giving them the impression that they are always working.
It’s crucial to distinguish your office area from your living space if you want to maintain a healthy work-life balance. This can be achieved by setting up an office in a specific area of your home.
Avoid visiting this area outside of working hours and focus on working within it. Establishing strict “stop times” and logging off at a certain point is an additional strategy. This approach might help you manage your time better than before.
Read More How to balance remote work life
Conclusion
Burnout is a common challenge in the remote work environment, but it’s not insurmountable. By establishing a routine, creating a dedicated workspace, maintaining communication, and prioritizing your physical and mental health, you can overcome burnout and thrive in your remote work setup.
Remember, it’s essential to set boundaries, take time off, and seek help when needed to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
