Burnout While Working From Home

[Skye]

It's the blurring of the boundaries that leads to burnout. What is work and what is not work? The temptation to do work when your laptop is there on your table 24/7. The urge to assign work when you know all your subordinates or colleagues are also just home with "nothing else to do." The little voice inside your head saying "answer just one email" and you end up answering a bunch of them.

We should know our boundaries. Specifically TIME boundaries.

[Skye]

Even my homeschoolers have time boundary issues. And it goes both ways. They get so engrossed with their schoolwork that they forget it is time to have a break already. Or they are enjoying their break so much that they forget they have lessons to work on.

[mjmnl]

To be honest, I had a hard time creating boundaries before when I started working from home. I was new in this setting and there's nothing else to do at home. It was my supervisor who taught me to draw the line between work and life. I never thought that it could cause burnout if that habit was continued. My cousin started working from home since the lockdown and she works overtime almost every day. She wanted to resign because of the burnout but the fear of not being hired during this pandemic is stopping her.

[Skye]

Yeah, no boundaries can lead to burnout... and it is true for everything. Having boundaries is a way of honoring and respecting one's self, and everything that goes with it.

Before, it was easy to delineate. Now, since work happens within the homespace, it's kinda blurry.

It may be a good idea to just have a specific space in the house for work. Then that place is off limits during non work hours.

[Gerhard]

I've learned that what people used to post about having plants (in abundance) inside the house as well as my home office has greatly improved my day to day routine. I feel less stressed and more relaxed but then again these plants are not just ordinary varieties but those that are a bit pricey so there is somewhat an irony of getting stressed taking care or nurturing something that is supposed to help in relieving stress! So far breathing and eye strain has greatly improved. Add some essential oils into the mix and voila!

[Kamille]

I've heard a lot about diffusing essential oils. I heard about this brand and they said they're great for relieving stress and having peaceful sleep. I'm using scented candles but thinking of trying something new. How's your experience with essential oils so far? Are they worth the penny?

[mjmnl]

My brother-in-law started to collect plants since the lockdown saying he wanted to do something to help him focus on other things aside from his job. He specifically bought aglaonema and has now bought everything in his checklist. Yes, you're right, I'm shocked how expensive plants can get. I had a little chat with my sister regarding his husband's sudden hobby. She told me that she doesn't mind him spending extra money buying plants as long as it helps him prevent being stressed out due to the pandemic and working at home.

[Kamille]

I am more calm when I am with nature, but given the situation where we are not even allowed to go out, a small plant in our work space will do. However, I can not keep them alive for more than they should lol. Thankfully, there are dried flowers available in stores and I feel like I've found that perfect plant for me. Low maintenance, no water needed, long lasting, and with the de-stressing benefits of a live one.

[Kamille]

"Cluttered house, cluttered mind".
I think this is true especially for us who work from home. A clean house creates peaceful environment and calmer mind, which help us focus more on our work and prevent us from being stressed. There are a lot of studies that prove that a clean home go hand-in-hand with our mental health. Also, cleaning can be therapeutic. Its definitely a win-win.

[kdy]

I so agree with this. Too many things lying around or a messy house makes me feel suffocated like there are so many things that I have to do, but have so little time. Sometimes, I get overwhelmed that I end up not doing anything at all. But even when I don't move around, I still feel tired. It's like there is something hanging over my head, I can't focus at anything I try to do.

But when the house is clean and stuff are organized, I actually find myself more productive. Focusing at work is easier, and I realize that I get around to doing things that I really like doing.

Also, I find decluttering very rewarding. When I see more free space, I feel more carefree Definitely helps.

[jcoppi29]

agreed. in my case, my desktop environment and my desk are most sacred. Because I have a place of my own, things are generally fixed or clean because no one else is around to mess things up. Now I'm gearing up to get a new workspace, gaming desk. I'm getting annoyed with cluttered mediocre cable management -- it's time to look for customized desk builders lmao

[mjmnl]

Same here! I work better in a clean environment and having an organized place is preferable since it is easier to find things. Whenever my workplace becomes cluttered, I get distracted and I try to find time to clean up. I also tried to live a minimalistic life. To be honest, I failed haha!! I just can't give up a lot of things and I still have a few things in my shopping cart that I can't let go of. But that's my goal in the future, hopefully, I'll succeed and have a minimalistic lifestyle.

[Kamille]

Recent studies show that yoga is an effective way to prevent and manage musculoskeletal and psychological problems, which are mostly the cause of burn-out. Its exercise and relaxation in one. https://theconsciousclub.com/article...n-cure-burnout

[Bjun]

Eight months since the lockdowns and I badly need a vacation. I envy people whose lives seem to be back to normal somehow.

[Skye]

Same here. I am glad though that there are places that accept guests already.

[mjmnl]

Even after a year since the virus started spreading all over the world, numerous countries are still imposing travel bans, lockdown, quarantine, and a few more precautions that hinder us from socializing and getting back to our old lives. Before all of these issues, mental health has already been a problem.

I came across this article from CNN: https://edition.cnn.com/2021/01/04/h...fc_lnFebinNdRE which tells us that just like last 2020, mental health will still be a public emergency this year.

It will take time before we all go back to our normal life. For now, all we can do is check on each other and do our best to support our loved ones. Listen to their stories, their problems, and help find a solution or at least let them know that you are just there if they need someone to be with.

[Bjun]

How's everyone doing? It's almost a year since people started working from home. A lot has gone back to work however, it's not like before. Have you adjusted already?

[jcoppi29]

I don't think I've been affected much but I do miss vacations. It's just that, with the current scare or circumstances, whenever I go out, I imagine small particles ready to infect me, thus, I ended up diving into gaming for the most part. Time indeed does fly.

[Kamille]

Same here jcoppi29. I was never into the crowd but whenever I have to go out, even a feet away from people makes me uneasy. What if they were exposed? or asymptomatic? or suddenly have the urge to sneeze? I have to bring a ton of sanitizers but boy do they make my skin dry. Thank goodness for delivery services that I get to stay home most of the time. I feel like I adjusted better because a lot of things can now be accessible through the internet. I seriously can't imagine living in a pandemic during the 90s.

[jcoppi29]

@Kamille

At times I wish there's a fire extinguisher size canister for alcohol so whenever I go out, I can just carry it with me and readily spray people if they sneeze or get too close -- at least the virus dies upon exposure. lmao

[Lou]

Bjun my kids are complaining! They said they miss going to school especially their college fair and performance tasks. Who would have thought? They miss their school service too! I love working from home though. It's a blessing for me.

[mjmnl]

Everyone finds working/studying from home differently. As for me, we are similar, I find working from home favorable with my lifestyle. Although I miss going out for leisure in a nearby cafe after my shift. Things that we cannot really do on a regular basis nowadays. My nephews also miss playing with their friends or just going to the mall. I really hope these kids get through these hard times and get back to normal gracefully when the situation permits.

[JerryYan]

One tip I think really helps is by setting some time, however short, in our day to reflect and clear our head. It helps us recharge in some way. This also allows us to have a sense of balance and courage to continue by restarting then possibly boost productivity.

[jcoppi29]

One way to do this would be meditations or breathing exercises on a daily basis. I find that if you totally focus on one thing, like your breath, the sensations of the skin, or one particular aspect for a whole 20-30 mins (i set alarms so I dont think of the time), it develops the module in the brain that gets mindful. Mindfulness isn't really about forgetting other things, rather, conditioning the brain to be in the moment as much as possible and to enter a flow state.

[Lou]

I really hope this pandemic ends soon. My kids don't really appreciate their online classes and it makes learning difficult for them. They said having the teacher discuss in front of them is so much better than online. With face-to-face, they are able to discuss their lessons with their classmates and for them, it makes a huge difference. Still hoping things will be better soon. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[Kamille]

My kids just recently started schooling and I am praying for the day I get to see them interact with other kids in an actual classroom with an actual teacher. I am grateful for the online classes, but its just not the same. My oldest have been so eager to make friends with other kids but we have to be careful in letting them approach us. I hope this pandemic ends soon so the kids can get back and move forward with their lives too.

[mjmnl]

Same with my nephews. They miss playing and interacting with their friends face to face. For now, all they can do is play with them virtually which is through Mobile Legends and Roblox. In terms of academics, they are already used to online classes but admittedly, it's not as effective as the traditional ones. With the progress of vaccination in our country, I think they'll go back to their normal routine by 2023. Insane, right? Hope we reach herd immunity earlier than expected.