Work-Life Balance While Working Remote

Author:Texas Creative
Work-Life Balance While Working Remote

Many things have changed since the start of the pandemic, but not all changes have been bad. I think one of the positive changes is the increase of remote work opportunities. It provides flexibility that we didn’t have before and in many cases, the gift of time. Without a daily commute, I have gained back an hour of my day. 

Although I enjoy working remotely, I find that it can be challenging to draw a clear line between work and life. This year, I am focusing on making a few changes to regain a healthy work-life balance. I thought I would share a few of my goals if you find yourself facing these same obstacles.

Getting Dressed for the Day

We all know one of the many benefits of working from home is getting to work in our pajamas! I’m trying to get out of that habit, by getting dressed every morning before I start work. This doesn’t necessarily mean business casual; it may be workout clothes with a cardigan or jacket over them for virtual calls (see “being active” below). I still want to be comfortable, but I am going to intentionally get dressed, put on makeup, and get ready to face the day. 

Being Active

It is said that sitting is the new smoking. A sedentary lifestyle can be harmful to our physical and mental health. I started using a fitness tracker and was shocked at how few steps I get in each day when I am not intentional about being active. I am going to carve out time each day for a short workout. It may be a walk around my subdivision, a short bike ride or a YouTube workout.

Disconnecting

One of the key elements of work-life balance is being able to disconnect and take some time for yourself. I have developed a bad habit of not taking a lunch break and snacking throughout the day. My new goal is to step away from my desk for lunch. I plan to use this time to squeeze in a workout and eat a healthy meal. You could also read a book, catch up on your favorite podcast or run a quick errand.

Tip: if you are like me and don’t have much time to read, try listening to an audio book. The Libby App is great for this. Link it to your library card and you can download audiobooks for free!

Being Organized

I found myself a bit overwhelmed during the holidays trying to juggle work and home life. My kids participate in several activities outside of school, and I needed to find a way to keep track of everything. I found an app called Cozi that I highly recommend. I can add all of our activities in one place, and I can color code by person. I am even using it for meal planning and my grocery list. You can save meals and easily add the ingredients to your grocery list, so I am taking the time to add 1 or 2 recipes each week.

 

These are just a few things I am working on, along with a few tips that I have found helpful.  Leave a comment below with your 2022 goals!