Are you one of the many people who are forced to work from home because of the pandemic?

If you are, then this article is for you!

Working from home has numerous benefits. No more commutes and rush hour traffic. No more worrying about your outfit of the day (OOTD). You don’t even have to wear shoes!

On the other hand, while working from home means you can work on your bed, boundaries between work life and non-work life are now blurred.

You can no longer leave work at the office when you go home. This could be a challenge. You could either feel burnt out or not get anything done. Worse, you could feel burnout without getting anything done!

For International Work from Home Day, here are 5 tips that can help you overcome the challenges of working from home:

Tip #1: Have a designated and consistent place for your work

First things first, give yourself a dedicated workspace. It doesn’t have to be a new room; it could be a small corner. Just somewhere quiet, well-lit, and free from clutter and distractions.

Although not everyone has the luxury to set up a home office, it is important to choose a spot in your home where you can do your work and leave it there when the workday is done.

Tip #2: Set a reasonable schedule

Harvard Business Review’s article, 5 Ways to Work from Home More Effectively, gave sound advice: Set a schedule to provide structure to your day and to help you stay motivated.

In other words: Set up a doable schedule and try your best to stick to it.

Consider your schedule like you’re working in an office. What is acceptable at work, what’s not? What are your deliverables for the day? List them down. And remember to schedule your breaks!

Tip #3: Set boundaries

Here’s a scenario: You are in a zoom meeting, swamped with work when an unexpected visitor came knocking at your door.

What do you do?

One of the biggest challenges of working from home is that work-life boundaries can get blurred. Your friends and loved ones might think that you are free to do personal errands anytime because, after all, you are just at home.

That is why it is important to set boundaries and communicate them to everyone in the house. Explain that you are working and that you need time to focus on your work. Let your household members know that you are off-limits during your scheduled work hours.

Tip #4: Celebrate your wins

If you have ticked an item off your to-do list, go ahead and celebrate!

Life during the pandemic can be quite overwhelming. Acknowledging what you have accomplished – whether they are big or small – is a great way to encourage yourself.

Verywell Mind says that appreciating even your small wins can also boost your self-confidence and motivate you to achieve more.

So, what can you celebrate today?

Tip #5: Engage in self-care

One year into the pandemic and work from home setup, how are you holding up?

If you are feeling down, know that you are not alone.

According to the report Workforce Attitudes toward Mental Health, 96% of respondents said that the pandemic has affected their stress levels. If you can relate to that, perhaps it’s time to slow down.

It is best to carve out time to care for your physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Get enough sleep, eat healthily, and find time to exercise — even during work! For instance, Verywell Fit suggests that you stretch your arms and legs every 45-55 minutes and rest your eyes.

Also, make time for relaxing activities, for your loved ones, and for prayer.

Give thanks to God for His sustaining grace and allow yourself to just rest in His presence. Pray for strength and wisdom.

Pray and believe that God will help you to not just survive – but to thrive while working from home.

Are you struggling to survive the work from home setup?

We are here to pray for you. Call the CBN Asia Prayer Center at 8-737-0700 or send your prayer requests to our Facebook page.