Make Work from Home Work for You
The future of the workforce involves hybrid and full-time work from home positions. Many people have already made the switch. The problem is, how do you balance your home life and your work life when they exist in the same place? If you’re lucky, you already live in a space that accommodates work from home setups, like the live/work spaces at Post House. Our Evansville apartments now offer layouts specifically designed for those who work from home. No matter what, to have a good work-life balance, you have to have a plan. Here are some tips on getting started!
#1: Schedule “You” Time
When you work at home, it can be tempting to work and just keep working because it’s so easily accessible. Who needs a lunch break when you could get another report done or finish that project? That’s a dangerous road to take and can quickly lead to burnout. Instead, try incorporating some planned “you” time throughout the day. For example, if you work a 9 to 5 job, you may take one morning break at 11, lunch at 12:30, and an afternoon break at 3. Each break can serve a different purpose. Maybe you do 15 minutes of casual reading, then use part of your lunch hour to do a short workout, then in the afternoon do 15 minutes of meditation or catch up with a friend on the phone. Whatever it is, make sure it’s a break that actually gives back to you in some way, not just another form of work.
#2: Consciously Unplug
Our lives have become rooted in wires. Computer wires, TV wires, charging cords: they have all become fixtures in our homes. It’s important to take a break from all of your technology, especially if you depend on it to do your work every day. Consciously unplugging is intentionally stepping away from your screens, monitors, and phones at a specific time so you get a genuine break. It may help to make this time specifically right after you finish work. It means you’ll have a hard stop time so you don’t overdo it, and it will make it clearer on every level that work is done, and it’s time to switch mindsets.
#3: Take Time Away
All the breaks and unplugging in the world won’t be as effective if you’re not taking time to step away from your work from home space. The best kind of time away is with other people. Other people, whether it’s friends, family, or acquaintances, can help you get the full mental-emotional break you need. You can even make a “rule” that you can only talk about work for five minutes. After that, it’s time to focus on fun! If you’re more of an introvert, that’s totally fine. There’s no need to be around other people and actually interact with them. You could just go somewhere other people will be but without the social pressure of conversation. Take a stroll through some local shops, take a cozy seat at a coffee shop and read or listen to a podcast, or check out another local destination like a museum or park. The point is to get out and get away for a while.
#4: Focus on Relationships
One of the best ways to ensure you thrive when you work from home is to spend time before and after work focusing on relationships. These can be family or friend relationships, but it’s always good to look outside yourself for a moment. It can really help you gain perspective and decompress. This could mean you make a phone call, grab a bite to eat, or spend a whole day or evening enjoying someone’s company. You choose what suits you, and then sink into that time and really enjoy being connected to someone you care about.
#5: Create Intentional Spaces
This last tip may be the most important. Creating spaces for work and life that are separate and intentional will help you make that all-important switch from work mode to relax mode. Sometimes this separation is natural to your space. For example, Post House has unique live/work apartment homes available in 13 different floor plans. Each layout has square footage set aside to design your work area so you won’t have to worry about using up other valuable living spaces. If you don’t have that luxury, then invest in some modular furniture that’s easy to tuck away when work is done or anchor your workspace with a rug and some separate lighting and other accessories that clearly show it’s a new area.
Are you looking for apartments in Evansville, Indiana that make it easy to strike a good work-life balance? Then schedule a tour of Post House apartments. We offer a one-of-a-kind mixed-use development with a focus on sustainable living. Call to learn more: (812) 308-4197