5 Ways to Prevent Work From Home Burnout

I’ve been finding more and more that my clients are coming to me overwhelmed, overworked, or stressed. Now, even though it’s my job to help untangle all of it — there are ways of avoiding getting there in the first place. Even if some of the tips below might have heard before, let them serve as reminders for you this week and as a sign to finally implement them into your life.

1.Boundaries are everything

Whether you are working from home with roommates, your family, your husband/wife, or your dog — it’s important to have boundaries that everyone is on the same page about. Here are some boundary suggestions below:

• If my office/bedroom door is closed, I am currently working and should not be disturbed
• If I have headphones on, I am unavailable
• Agreed upon “flex” hours where you know that if someone needs something, they can come in to ask but anything outside of that is work time
• Schedule your breaks around taking your dog out for a walk or to the bathroom

2. Create a new routine

It’s important to find a work-from-home routine that works for YOU. Just because your husband is able to multi-task and take calls while walking around the room and cleaning, doesn’t mean you can. A personal example: I recently had to re-work my routine to take my coaching calls on days that I had someone watching my kids that day. Find a routine that makes you feel energized, happy and balanced within your day.

3. Self-care IS important & different for everyone

I know self-care is an overly used word nowadays but it’s because it’s now more important than ever to find ways to distress and disconnect to make sure you’re taking care of yourself. One thing I want to emphasize here is that it’s very easy to get caught in a cycle of self-care that may not be for you. Self-care is not a “one-size-fits-all.” Even though your book looks really great next to your coffee in the morning, it doesn’t mean it’s actually helping you feel less stressed.

4. Prioritize

When I’m overwhelmed sometimes it seems as though I am living in an alternate universe where everything has the same level of priority and there’s not enough time in the day to finish — and that’s because there isn’t. Take inventory of what your priorities are for the day and for the week. I like to pick one thing that will make me feel accomplished each day.

5. Spend time outside

This one can be difficult depending on where in the world you are & if the weather is cooperating but I strongly encourage you to not spend weeks on end without stepping outside. I had a friend that I spoke to recently that said, “I don’t think I’ve been outside in over a week” — I am sure she hasn’t been the only one out there either that has said something similar. Find ways to incorporate the outdoors into your daily or weekly routine — get that Vitamin D!

I don’t want you to get to the point of burnout. You are always at your best if you’re calm, cool, energized, and balanced. Now, even though I have a packed schedule today — I took some time to make myself a cup of tea before diving into my day. Are there other tricks that help you prevent burnout? I’d love to hear them!