Comfortable clothes, no commute and saving money on takeaway coffees are all coveted benefits of working from home. However, with 46.6% of those employed working at home in some capacity in April 2020 – and this figure steadily climbing in following months – many have realised that the line between work and personal life can easily blur.

Maintaining a healthy work/life balance has been challenging for many. Employees have gone above and beyond for their jobs throughout the past year. The main two reason citied have been fear of redundancy and struggling to switch off. Burnout symptoms increased for 24% of UK employees in 2020 and Google Trends depicts rises in terms such as ‘occupational burnout’  and ‘chronic stress’.

As working from home is set to remain the new normal it’s essential that you learn to switch off when the working day is done. Working from home can improve your happiness and wellbeing if you structure it correctly. Below, we highlight five key rules to adopt when working from home to help you relax.

Leitz understand the correlation between a tidy workspace and a tidy mind

 

 

1. Where are you working?

Whilst some have studies and spare rooms, others have had to get creative with their remote working spaces. Dining room tables and spaces under the stairs have become makeshift offices, with desks and chairs being pillaged from abandoned workplaces.

However, when you cannot finish work and shut a door firmly behind you, your occupation leaks into your home life. Where possible, create spatial boundaries when your day is complete. This could mean turning off your computer and putting any paperwork out of site or hiding your laptop until the next morning. You should also avoid working in any place you relax – this means no laptops on the sofa or in bed! These spaces should be dedicated to your wellbeing and free time only.

You should also avoid working in any place you relax

 

 

2. When are you working?

Working from home has enabled people to get much more done with their day. You can put on a load of laundry or take a five-minute breather in the garden with the children or pets. However, have you found yourself working extra hours?

When heading into the office your day is structured with a start and finish time which you stick to. This is healthy and allows you to break away easily to start your journey home. The one-minute commute to your workstation at home has had a negative impact, allowing you to work through lunchbreaks and into the evening as you find it hard to tear yourself away from the tasks in hand.

10 minutes of physical activity after work can go a long way in improving your mental wellbeing

 

 

3. How are you working?

We have already addressed where in your home you are working, but what about how you are working? Keeping your home office organised, no matter the space, will help increase your productivity.

Furthermore, having the correct tools and storage to carry out your role from home successfully means you won’t spend any time struggling with technology or frantically trying to find missing paperwork.   After all, having a frantic day at work full of avoidable mishaps is not going to help you switch off and enjoy your free time.

Leitz understand the correlation between a tidy workspace and a tidy mind, which is why we have an entire range of home office tools. The Leitz WOW range gives you the opportunity to equip your working space in your favourite colour. From filing options to office necessities, you can create a relaxing working environment for yourself.

To keep your home office tidy the Leitz Click & Store WOW boxes are easy to assemble to are designed to fit into most shelving units. They can easily be stacked and tucked away and come in a variety of sizes and vibrant shades to suit your needs.

 

4. What are you doing after work?

Having something to look forward to at the end of the workday is not only a positive step to ensure you finish on time but will help your mind detach from your job too. Bidding your colleagues farewell and calling a friend, trying out a new recipe, or simply running a bubble bath are all great incentives to have you logging off.

Committing to plans at the end of the workday is a great signal for both your mind and body to start focusing on yourself and your family until bedtime.

Research has suggested that even 10 minutes of physical activity after work can go a long way in improving your mental wellbeing. Whether you head out for a walk, try a Zoom workout, or get sweaty with some weights, exercise can not only increase mental alertness and lift your mood, but also reduce stress and anxiety.

 

 

5. Why are you working?

Focusing on the reasons as to why you work can help with relaxing and switching off. Some of us work because we are career driven, others love their jobs, and some simply need to pay their bills.

Whatever your stance, remembering that you don’t live to work is vital in distinguishing a healthy cut-off between working and overworking. The majority of employers promote a healthy work/life balance and do not expect their team to go beyond their working hours. Remember, your bosses don’t want to be working all the time either and many actively encourage employees to sign out when the day is done.

So, if you’re reading this because you feel like you may be burning out, or you’re frustrated with your job, why not adopt the tips above and improve your mental wellbeing.

The importance of exercise – even light exercise – cannot be understated for those who want to feel their best and give their best attention to their work.