The current pandemic and lockdown has our day-to-day routines. Most of us have had to learn how to adapt to working from home. Given the added stress of these times and unpredictable situations, working from home can leave us open to fatigue and feeling burnout. Psychologist Kanika Shah of Nimai Healthcare shares a few simple steps to help you avoid burnout.

Steps to avoid burnout while working from home

Burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion. It’s caused by excessive exposure to stressful situations over a long period of time. As a result, the individual feels physically and emotionally drained, and finds it hard to meet the demands of his/her professional and personal life.

Tips to help you cope better with stress while working from home

With work from home, our work and personal lives are happening in the same space so it becomes important to set boundaries to separate the two.

• Create a separate work corner at home

Try and create a separate work corner for yourself at home, which becomes the only place you work from.

• Follow a daily routine

Try and follow a routine to start and end your work day. For instance, putting on work clothes and then changing into home clothes at the end of the day. This will also help bring consistency to your routine and help manage your time better.

• Take proper timed breaks and rest

Avoid answering work calls during your lunch break. Even during the day, stretch and move around to get some activity and stay hydrated.

• Plan your day to manage your time better

Time management and planning your day can help balance work and various responsibilities around the house. It can help to compartmentalise the two.

• Prioritise your personal time

Use your time efficiently to find outlets for stress, like spending time in the company of people you like, and doing things you enjoy.

Set realistic deadlines

Managers and people in charge should try and follow reasonable work timings and set realistic deadlines as far as possible.

Working from home does not mean that you need to be available 24/7 for work. Given current times, be understanding towards yourself and those you work with. If you find yourself unable to cope and feeling stressed out, approaching a mental health professional could be helpful.