15 Ways to Overcome the Work-from-Home Sanity Challenge

• July 12, 2022
• Author: Keith Young

Working from home has its benefits, but staying sane while trying to be productive in your work is a job in itself. Isolation, distraction, and a lack of motivation are all factors that seem to work against you at home.

Here are 15 ways to stay sane while working from home:

1. Set boundaries.

Communicate with your family about what you need to get your work done. Establish healthy boundaries to manage expectations and minimize distractions. 

2. Designate work times.

Designate specific times for work and stick to them. Outside of work hours, remove yourself from your desk, turn off your laptop, and be fully present with your family. 

Use technology to make this automatic. Set up an auto-responder for your email during times you’re not working (or add your work hours to your email signature). Use Time Frames and Customized Greetings with your cloud phone system to inform callers of your work times and automatically forward calls when you’re off. 

3. Create a separate work space.

Even if you don’t have an extra room you can designate as your office, create a separate workspace in your home. Having a dedicated space will allow you to walk away and remove yourself from work physically as well as mentally. 

4. Use a good chair. 

If your work demands hours of time in a chair, invest in a good one. Solid back support and a comfortable seat and armrests will have a huge impact on your body and your ability to focus. It’s important for your health.

5. Exercise.

Get your body moving. Go for a walk on your lunch break. Do a workout video before or after work. Try using a standing desk to reduce the number of hours you spend sitting. Exercise benefits your whole body and helps to keep you mentally alert. 

6. Stretch.

Even while you sit at your desk, you can do gentle stretches to keep your body from getting stiff. Neck and shoulder rolls can prevent tension headaches. Any movement is good for you!

7. Change locations.

Even though you have a designated workspace, sometimes you just need a change. Set up a temporary workspace in your living room or at the kitchen table for a change of scenery or a fresh perspective. Keep things interesting.

8. Have a pet. 

Isolation can get to you. If you live alone or are alone for most of every day, a pet can be a beloved companion and sanity-saver. Keep in mind, they’re a lot of work. But a walk with the dog or a little snuggle now and then is good for the body and soul. 

9. Play. 

Don’t forget there’s life outside of work. Take time to play. Be silly with your kids. Play a game. Do something fun. Spend time on a hobby. 

10. Have regular team calls.

Even if you don’t need them, have regular team calls to stay connected with your coworkers. A quick daily check-in can keep everyone on the same page and maintain a sense of camaraderie even from separate locations. 

11. Socialize.

Get creative about socializing. Find a time that works for a group of your friends and “meet” online. Have a group video chat. Plan an extended family night and reminisce. 

During the current COVID-19 crisis, UnitedCloud is offering FREE unlimited audio conferencing – talk to as many people as you want for as long as you want!

12. Take breaks.

During your work hours, be sure to take regular breaks. It’s easy to become hyper-focused, lose track of time, and suddenly crash. Stand up, walk around, walk away, and do something else for a few minutes at regular intervals throughout your day. 

13. Listen to music or white noise. 

Listening to music can help you stay focused. White noise can drown out distractions if you have family members around. Use noise-cancelling headphones. 

14. Unplug.

When you’re not working, unplug. Forward your work calls. Shut off your computer. Turn off your notifications. Be present with your family and fully engaged with non-work activity.

15. Sleep. 

Develop an effective sleep routine. Disconnect early enough to allow your mind and body to wind down before you go to bed. A solid sleep will help you start fresh each morning and work with greater focus.

Staying sane while working from home can be a challenge, but it’s achievable! 

A cloud phone system is an affordable tool to help you balance work and home life. Take advantage of features like audio conferencing, video conferencing, time frames, customized messages, and more.

UnitedCloud specialists are available to get you set up with our cloud communications immediately! Contact us today.