Three Simple Ways to Avoid Burnout During Covid-19

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Whilst infection rates of Coronavirus are finally coming down, the country continues to exercise caution when it comes to easing lockdown measures. The vaccination programme provides a glimmer of hope, epitomizing human resilience and determination even in the most challenging of times.
2020 has taught us how to adapt to remote working – a shift that has been a long time coming. However, I feel 2021 will be geared towards another facet of this unprecedented situation: avoiding burnout of employees in the longer-term.

Working from home will likely continue for the majority of 2021. The pandemic has amplified the pressure on employees struggling to maintain a healthy balance between personal and professional lives, whilst the presence of children at home adds yet more stress to the lives of working parents.

So how do employees overcome the challenge brought about by this pandemic? Here are some ways to overcome the burnout and fatigue factor while working from home:

Keep Gadget Free Zones at Home: Working from home has made it difficult for employees to disconnect from work. Do you wake up from your nap when your Skype call buzzes? Are you tempted to respond to work emails on weekends or late evening? Trying to push yourself too hard will be detrimental to your health and wellbeing. Keep gadget-free zones at home away from your smartphones and laptops that remind you of work. You should be able to relax at home without feeling guilty about it. After work hours, enjoy your time off and spend time with family. Watch a series on Netflix, read a book, or bake a cake. Lead a social life away from your gadgets and your work life.

Show Empathy & Be Respectful: It is important to remember that many people are juggling responsibilities alongside their work. It could be helping young children with online classes or taking care of elderly relative at home. Be mindful and respectful of the fact that your colleagues or team members may have a slightly different work schedule to you. A conventional 9-to-5 schedule may be highly unrealistic in the current situation we all find ourselves in.

Follow the 90-minute Rule: Whether working from the office or home, the 90-minute rule will do wonders for your mental health and productivity. Research suggests that human beings possess a biological clock that operates in 90-minute intervals. In other words, the brain can only function efficiently for a maximum of 90 minutes. When you start to feel your focus drifting due to the 90-minute rule, just set your work aside for 5 or 10 minutes and focus on doing something less demanding. This rule will do wonders for you and help overcome fatigue or the inability to concentrate.
As we continue to work from home, it is essential not to let the situation overpower you. Remember, you are confined at home, but don’t become a victim of the problem. Instead, look at the positive side and make sure to take time for yourself.