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How To Deal With Working From Home Burnout

19th January 2021

19th January 2021

By Shivraj Bassi

It’s been just over a year since many of us swapped Tube seats for sofas and office chairs for kitchen chairs and started working from home full-time. Initially it seemed like a fun experiment, wearing sweatpants to video meetings, working from bed and trying out funny Zoom backdrops. Once the months started trickling by, however, it’s likely that fatigue and frustration began to set in. If you like working in a collaborative environment, it’s very difficult to sit in your spare room alone every single day, willing the squirrel who hangs out in your garden to perch on the windowsill so they can stand in as an emergency co-worker. 

If you’ve been experiencing stress, sadness and anxiety about working from home for the foreseeable future, it’s possible that you’re experiencing working from home burnout. Burnout refers to feelings of exhaustion, cynicism and reduced confidence about what you’re doing. If working with your laptop balanced on your knees every day is getting to be a bit much, we’re here to help you cope. 

Build up your boundaries

When you can attend a meeting in your pyjamas and have no-one be the wiser, it’s clear how the boundaries between your work life and your personal life can quickly become blurred, or even nonexistent. It’s crucial to ensure that work isn’t seeping into your every waking minute, and to put boundaries on work-related activities. That could mean working in a different physical space to where you relax, using a different browser window for your work stuff and your Netflix tabs, or putting your phone on do not disturb mode at a certain time of day.  

Take breaks

Being productive and feeling busy are two different things. Take regular breaks throughout your working day to recharge, relax and rest your eyes for a moment - ideally without looking at a screen. 

This is especially important when it comes to lunch. It’s likely that when you worked in an office you took at least ten minutes to stroll to Pret and back. Don’t compromise yourself by eating lunch al desko every day and getting endless crumbs underneath your computer keyboard (never a good look). Try using your lunch break to get a workout in, do some simple stretches or simply take a walk to the park. This way, you’ll support both your physical and your mental health, and almost certainly make yourself more productive when you return to your tasks in the afternoon. 

Give yourself a treat

If COVID-19 didn’t exist, we’d all be going out to dinner, meeting friends for drinks and trying out a fun new workout class on a weekday morning. Just because we’re now working from home doesn’t mean we can’t do nice things for ourselves during the week. Schedule a video call with a friend, crack open a new novel or have an indulgent bath with your favourite expensive bath oil. This will help both your mind and body to reset and help you to feel less stressed. 

Get some sleep

Sleep is essential to our health and wellbeing, and if you’re feeling burned out from working from home, it’s even more important than usual to give our brains a chance to rest. Getting a good night’s sleep will improve your mood and energy levels. 

If you’re having trouble nodding off, check out our guide to getting the best night’s sleep of your life. Give yourself the best possible chance to rest, such as having a hot bath or shower just before bed, limiting screen time and doing some mindfulness, breathwork or meditation before you close your eyes. 

Photo by The Creative Exchange on Unsplash

Plan your day

If you’ve been waking up every day with the fear of a day spent working alone weighing on you, you might find it helpful to plan out what you’re going to be doing in advance. The human brain loves structure, so this could help you to feel more in control and less alone. 

Try writing down a list of tasks you want to do today and setting alarms on your phone for the start and end of the workday. Ticking things off and getting stuff down will give you a sense of achievement and a concrete sense of having got things done. 

Try to focus

Computers, phones and the internet in general are all designed to distract us and suck up every drop of our attention span with constant notifications, flashing messages and endless windows of different information. Seeing these can break your cycle of productivity and creativity, distract you from what you’re doing and make you feel as though you’ve been jumping from task to task all day without getting anything done. 

To limit this, you could try muting notifications for periods of time when you don’t want to be distracted, going for intervals without checking your phone and muting the alert sounds on your emails so there’s less temptation to check. 

Innermost's The Focus Capsules are a great way to boost your attention span and ability to focus. Nootropic capsules, they contain research-backed ingredients that boost cognitive performance and processing speed while reducing mental fatigue. 

Ask for help

If you’re persistently worried, anxious and upset because of your work, ask for help. Whether that’s speaking to a colleague (sometimes even a good gossip session about that coworker you both hate can help), letting your boss know you need some adjustments to do your job the best you can, or considering some therapy to help you through this difficult time, there’s no worse time to suffer in silence than in the middle of a pandemic. If you keep pushing on without making any changes, you’ll only become more and more tired and overwhelmed as the weeks slip by - and this kind of thing always catches up to you eventually. 

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Team Innermost Christmas Wishlist
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It's not just self-care; it's a rejuvenating experience that keeps you flexible and ready for whatever the holidays throw your way!  Garmin Venu 2S GPS Smartwatch “I can't hit the gym without my go-to fitness buddy! It takes the hassle out of counting sets and reps, visually tracking my workouts while also mapping my runs and cycles with GPS. Plus, it's a total game-changer for my music game – loading up my favourite Spotify workout mix, so no more lugging around my phone on a run. It's like having a personal trainer and DJ rolled into one, making every session 10x easier!” - Hannah B (Innermost Resident Health and Nutrition Coach).Satin pillow case"These are great at maintaining my hair health and stopping additional breakage” - Sofia (Innermost Graphic Designer). Unlike traditional cotton pillowcases, satin minimises friction, reducing the risk of hair breakage and split ends. This gentle surface also helps to retain the natural oils in the hair and prevents excessive drying. 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Daily Gratitude Journal for Happiness, Mindfulness, and Reflection"This five-minute journal is a great way to think over your goals for the day and reflect each evening.” - (Jas, Innermost Operations Assistant)Through the process of daily journaling, you often discover patterns, triggers, and personal insights that contribute to emotional growth and self-awareness. Moreover, it acts as a reliable record, allowing you to track personal development, achievements, and challenges over time. Apple Watch SE"This helps me track my fitness goals and stay focussed on workouts”. - Hannah L (Innermost Operations Assistant)This watch provides users with essential features like fitness tracking, heart rate monitoring, and seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem. Favourite Fitness And Wellness Products: Nike Metcons "For Christmas, I'd love some new Metcons. My old ones are showing some serious workout battle scars!" - Shiv (Innermost Founder & CEO).Stepping up your trainer game with a fresh set of trainers is not just a fitness upgrade; it's a statement of commitment to your workout journey, whilst supporting your form and keeping you comfortable. Theragun Mini Massage Gun “An absolute post-workout game-changer, especially after those intense post-Christmas sweat sessions. It's the ultimate treat for soothing post-workout soreness and turbocharging recovery. This portable massage gun provides targeted relief and ensures you're ready for the next round of fitness challenges.” Booja Booja Chocolate Bombs “The best vegan chocolates ever! You would have no idea they’re plant based” - Sofia Beyond their fantastic flavour, Booja Booja's commitment to organic and plant-based ingredients ensures a guilt-free indulgence. Pip & Nut Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups"My daily treat will always be a Pip & Nut Peanut butter cup, or a Blank Street Blueberry Matcha. My favourite sweet treats.” - Lucie What’s more these peanut butter cups are free from artificial additives, preservatives, and palm oil, aligning with a commitment to wholesome ingredients.Festive Percy Pigs“These super yummy vegan classics are a personal favourite of mine, and even better that they come in fun Christmas shapes.” - Ami  Olaplex Conditioner“This is the only product that has helped keep my hair healthy, after lots of bleaching!” - Jas Olaplex's versatility extends across various hair types and concerns, making it a great addition to any hair care routine, whether used as part of a salon treatment or in the comfort of your home. Cadbury Dairy Milk"This classic chocolate treat, never fails me!” - Hannah LBeyond the sensory pleasure, the act of enjoying a chocolate treat every now and then triggers the release of endorphins, contributing to an overall sense of well-being and happiness. Innermost Favourites: The Recover Capsules:"I'll be working out throughout the festive period. The Recover Capsules are a great addition to my diet to keep my immune system strong and energy levels high.” - Shiv  The Digest Capsules:“These Digest Capsules have been a total gut-health game-changer for me, taken twice a day. Since incorporating them into my routine, I've witnessed massive improvements in bloating and gut irritation.” - Hannah B The Glow Booster:“I love taking this daily, I will mix it in with my morning smoothie. My hair has grown so fast. This is one Innermost product I highly recommend for its nourishing benefits.” - Lucie “The Glow Booster, this includes ingredients I use in my skincare routine promoting healthy glowing skin.” - Jas The Fit Protein:“This helps to fuel my day and tastes great, my favourite flavour is and I use it in my morning smoothies.” - Ami  The Define Booster:“Not only do I think this tastes great, this is my go-to choice for that boost of energy and performance which has lasting results.” - Hannah L  This festive season is the perfect time to prioritise both joy and well-being. Our staff's wellness favourites, delightful treats, and Innermost products have collectively crafted a holistic approach to nurturing mind and body during the holidays. As we celebrate the spirit of giving, let's remember to gift ourselves moments of self-care and indulgence, finding harmony in the simple pleasures that contribute to a healthier and happier season. From wellness rituals to festive treats and the support of Innermost products, this holiday is an opportunity to radiate well-being from the inside out. May these wellness insights and seasonal delights create a joyful and nourishing experience for all. Cheers to a happy and healthy holiday season! Read more
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