Here’s Why You’re So Tired While Working from Home

Working from home has so many benefits. It can be a great way to multitask, be more comfortable, and save time that others waste on a commute. However, it just leaves you feeling so tired! Working from home is both exhausting and unmotivating when sustained for an extended period.

You’re so tired from working from home because it is hard to achieve separation between your work life and your home life. Your workspace is now the same space that you relax in, making it hard to focus on specific tasks physically and mentally. Separation is vital for beating burnout.

We’ll explain how you can make your home a great place to accomplish your work and how to overcome that tired feeling. With a few easy steps, you will have a great work life balance, all from the comfort of your own home!

To Beat the Burnout Set Strong Boundaries and Devote Time to Self-Care

It is challenging to separate your work life and your home life when they occupy the same space. Creating boundaries and a few new changes to your routine can help keep your work and home responsibilities from blurring together. 

Keep a Schedule

Focus on your work during your work hours and your home responsibilities during your off hours. By utilizing your worktime to the utmost efficiency, it’ll be easy and justified when it’s time to power down your work at quitting time. 

Try not to answer those work calls and emails after hours unless necessary. You need downtime to recharge to beat that tired feeling. Also, starting work at the same time each day will help you establish a routine, making it easier to transition into a work mindset.

Make a Workspace

Having a set time helps your brain switch into work mode, but so does having a designated space for work. Optimally you can create a work area in a quiet area free from distraction. Move to that area when it is time to start work and remain there while completing your work. Being at a desk or designated workspace will help you stay in a productive mode and be more able to focus on the tasks at hand.

Make Your Workspace Comfortable

Not all of us have a home office optimized for working from home, so we’ve made do with the areas that we have. We find ourselves working from: 

• The couch
• The dinner table
• At a counter  
• A bed

Within a few hours, your back will be irritated and strained as these are not ergo friendly spots. This is not conducive to high productivity with your work because the discomfort will be a constant distraction. Take some time to find or invest in some products to make your office space more comfortable. Your back will thank you. 

Taking Breaks

It’s easy to get pulled back into work when you no longer have a breakroom to run to or coworkers to stop and chat with. But breaks are important and help give your brain the energy to tackle the rest of the day. 

You’re entitled to your breaks, and a few minutes with a snack, scrolling through social media, reading a book, or taking a walk outside in fresh air can help you feel re-energized when you sit back down to work. Regular breaks will help keep you from hitting a wall from burnout. 

Take Your Work Out of the Home

This isn’t possible for every situation, but there may be a space that you can work in for a period of time that is not your home. Many places offer free Wi-Fi and plenty of seating so that you can set up a temporary workstation in their establishment. A new environment, especially one with a steady flow of coffee, may be the jumpstart that you need to delve into work for the day. Consider hitting up the nearest

• Coffee Shops
• Restaurants
• Libraries  

Save Your Chores for After Work

The pile of dishes in the sink, the dirty towels on the bathroom floor, and all the other housework can haunt you throughout the day. It is tempting to tackle a few chores because they only would take a few minutes. The problem is, it can be hard to know where to stop. 

A few minutes doing the dishes can turn into cleaning the counter to then sorting the outdated food in the refrigerator too easily. Keep it simple and tell yourself that those jobs can wait and that there is no harm in waiting until later to address them. 

Bring Energy to Your Work Environment

There are certain accessories that can make it easier to feel energized while working at your desk because they can set the tone and provide the right atmosphere. Getting close to a window for sunlight will help you feel awake and energized. Lighting a candle with your favorite scent will help you relax. You can also play any music that helps you focus. 

Be Active

Exercise is a great way to feel more energized. The endorphins that are released when you move your body can make you feel so much more awake and happier. So, set aside some time in your day and choose your favorite way to move whether its

• Walking
• Yoga
• Biking
• Dancing
• Weightlifting

Keep Brain Food in Stock

When going into an office, it was much easier to stop and pick up a bite to eat or have lunch delivered in. Now that you are eating at home so much more, it is important to shop smart to give yourself plenty of options to snack on throughout the day. 

Having the right fuel will help you have enough energy to get through the day and still have some to spare for your home life. Make sure you’re ready for your lunch break with:

• Fruits
• Nuts
• Sandwiches
• Salads 
• Soups
• Your favorite feel-good treat

When the Workday is Complete, Wind Down

You did it; you made it through the workday. Now is the time to reward yourself with a relaxing activity. So, watch an episode of your favorite show or a read a chapter of a book. Winding down is important because it will slow your body and mind, which will help you get a restful sleep. You put in the time at work. Now this is your time to do what you want. Reward yourself for a job well done.

Keep Up on Your ZZZ’s

It’s hard to feel rested when you are just not getting enough rest. So, make sure to give yourself enough time to wind down at the end of the day. Keep a bedtime routine, so your brain knows when it’s time to start slowing down. Stay off of devices before bed as they can make it harder to fall asleep. Go to bed at an early enough time that you can get a full night of sleep to feel energized the next day.

Conclusion

Working from home isn’t easy. You must fight:

• Cabin fever 
• Numerous distractions
• Shared spaces
• Interruptions

All while producing high quality work. Be patient with yourself and work to make your environment as pleasant and work centric as you can. And when the workday is done, shut it down and put it away. This combined with self-care, should make your work from home fatigue a thing of the past.