By now we’ve been working remotely for ten months and it’s clear many of us will continue to do so until at least mid-year. Remote work certainly has its perks – there is less commute stress, we have more time and flexibility, we’re more productive and we’re saving money on things such as meals, coffee, and gas.
Yet, many people I know really miss their commute time, including me. This was that precious time we had every day where no one needed us, there were little or no interruptions and we could recharge our battery. I call it “Me-Time”. If commuting by train, we might take a nap, read a book, catch up on emails or prep for the next day of work. If driving, we might call a friend, think through a current problem or relax in the silence. Without regular “Me Time” or designating time in our day to take a break, many find it harder to stay focused, motivated and feel more exhausted by day’s end.
The boundaries between work and home life have blurred. The commute was a great way to mentally prepare for the work day as well as decompress before going home. It was a clear shift from the role of employee to the role of parent, spouse or partner. WFH has made it very challenging to turn work “off” and turn “on” our personal life.
Our daily routines have gone to the wayside. Ten months into remote work, we’re likely staying in bed until the last minute then racing to our computers frantically diving into work. Often, working late into the evening never having left our desk, showered, gone outside, sat down for a meal, or taken time for ourselves. Rachel Goldman, PhD says without daily routine, we’re likely to experience “increased stress, anxiety, overwhelm, lack of concentration, and focus”, which is a fast track to burnout. Rachel Goldman goes on to say “routine gives us structure, helps us stay focused, productive, and happy.”
-
If you’re missing your commute time, create it! Here are a few ideas:
Recreate your old morning routine. Think about how much time you put towards getting ready for work and commuting each day. Then set aside this time each morning for yourself to shower, dress, grab coffee, read the news and plan your day. If you used to exercise first thing, try incorporating that back into your morning. This will give you “Me-Time” and allow you to mentally shift into work mode.
Schedule time in your calendar for daily breaks and put an alarm on your phone to remind you. If you used to walk out of the office to get lunch, try blocking off 15 to 30-minute several times a week to step away from work.
For focused work, set a timer for 30-60 minutes and shut off emails, phone alerts and tell your co-workers. Once the timer goes off, see how much you’ve accomplished and then, take a break.
Create an end of day ritual to signify the shift from work mode to personal time. Use the last 15-minutes to make tomorrow’s to-do-list, straighten up your desk and log off your computer. You may even want to change out of your work clothes into casual clothes. Think of tasks that will help you transition out of work and into personal mode.
-
As Rachel Goldman says: “Implementing structure to our day gives us a sense of control, improves focus, organization and productivity. And don't forget to make time for self-care.” Whatever your “commute time” looks like for you, schedule it back into your day and you’ll be glad you did.