How to deal with WFH fatigue?

Work from Home aka WFH.

What started as a short-term alternative led to an entire workspace transition. And with that, escalated its repercussions - Burnout. Fatigue. Exhaustion.

In fact, an HBR report shows that performance has degraded in the remote work environment.

Hence, WFH fatigue should not be ignored. Here’s how you can manage it

Shift from Video Calls
Video calls have been exhausting in WFH as it demands us to be constantly active. Taking a break from the video calls and switching to normal calls is a better option. A Microsoft study reveals that higher concentration requirements in video calls lead to fatigue.

Reduce Multitasking
Multitasking is actually a tiring process. The brain keeps switching between multiple activities, requiring more energy. It impacts concentration and quickly drains the brain’s energy, leading to exhaustion. Hence, it’s better to focus on one task at a time.

Take Breaks
Mini-breaks in the office is essential to break the lethargy. These breaks are crucial for WFH, as people are confined to one place, which impacts their productivity. Stepping away from work for a quick walk, coffee, playing with pets, etc. is quintessential to refresh.

Stick to a Routine
While working from home, people have to take care of household chores, impacting their productivity and mental health. It’s important to set temporal boundaries like setting up a home office and sticking to working hours. A Forbes article mentions that such changes help create a mental division of space.

Indulge in Wellness Activities
When mental health takes a toll due to work, adopting wellness activities can help reduce stress. Meditation will clear your mind, while inculcating hobbies may help maintain the right balance. According to Microsoft, 70% of the employees claim that meditation helps reduce stress.

WFH has brought new responsibilities and employees need to be aware of its consequences and learn how to manage time to keep stress away.

Citations:

1. Remote Managers Are Having Trust Issues
2. The future of work—the good, the challenging & the unknown
3. Work-From-Home Burnout: Causes And Cures
4. A pulse on employees’ wellbeing, six months into the pandemic