Brix | Brix Blog

PUBLISHED ON SEPTEMBER 22, 2023 | HR ADVICE

Today, when most people work from home, the dividing line between work and overwork gets blurred. According to a survey, around 58% of people who work from home complained about feeling burned out.
Often, remote workers are unable to manage their time, and to fulfil the expectations of their employer, they work for long hours. Even many people forget to take breaks when working from home. Also, the difference between professional and personal life becomes eliminated, which may create conflicts later on.
Are you facing the same issue? If yes, then this article is for you. Here, we have discussed the top ways to stop overworking when you work from home. Take a look!

Set Strict Boundaries

‍Set your own boundaries when you are working from home. It helps you manage working hours so that you can protect yourself from overwork. For managing work, you can take the help of tools like Brix Performance Manager to track working hours.
Create your timetable on when to start the work and when to finish it. Don't overburden yourself; if needed, you can talk to your manager about the length of the assigned tasks. Also, learn to say no to avoid overworking for your own benefit.

Don't Replace Commuting Time With More Work

‍Commuting time helps you feel more energetic to complete the work. Also, it refreshes your brain and provides rest to your eyes from constantly looking at the screen while working.
People often use commute time at home for a walk, meditation, playing with kids, cooking small meals, etc. But after this, many try to replace it by doing overwork and forget they need rest or breaks in between the tasks.
So, stop it and consider the commuting time as your break time while working from home. But make sure you are loyal with your working hours, including the breaks.

Give Yourself a Break

‍There is nothing more important than your mental health . When you are feeling exhausted from work, it is important for you to take a break. This could mean spending time with family, doing some exercise, or eating something. Also, don't forget to take a long lunch break, like for 45 to 60 minutes, to eat food properly and to relax your mind.
There is no doubt that working from home gives you more time during the day, but it doesn't mean you spend all that time on work. You have to prioritize your health and try to balance your work life and personal life.

Track Your Work Time

‍For people, it is very easy to lose time track when working from home and you often don't realize that you are spending extra hours every week. That's why you need to track your time while working to ensure that you don't overwork or push your boundaries. For this, you can use tools like WokViz for time tracking or to revolutionize work efficiency .
Tracking working hours is a great way to improve productivity and to draw a line between professional and personal life. The best part is that you can also share the results or tracker with your manager. This helps them understand the workload you are handling and may reduce it to help you manage time.

Reduce Workplace Distractions

‍Make sure your work desk is free from distractions like mobile phones and unnecessary items. Don't check your phone again and again while working, as this will waste a lot of your productive time. Instead, you can take breaks to check your phone, messages, and emails. Also, avoid replying to non-urgent emails and messages during working hours. It is better to keep your phone in silent mode even if you are working from home to avoid distractions.

Plans And Habits To Stop Overwork

‍If you are using your time wisely and still doing overwork, then you need to think of new ways to stop it. For example, you can plan a meeting with friends or family after working hours, so that you can end work on time to enjoy. Or, you can dig into some new habits like reading, running, exercising, etc. to finish your work on time.

Add Buffer Time For Tasks

‍Add a little buffer time for your tasks when estimating how long your work will take. For example, you can add around 5-10 mins extra for every task you have as a buffer time.
There is nothing wrong with adding a buffer to everyday tasks as it gives you the freedom to focus on quality. Also, you can become more productive and can finish assigned tasks within working hours.

Signs You Are Doing Overwork

‍Here are some signs that help you understand that you are overworking and need to stop it immediately for the sake of your health:

Less productive

Not getting enough sleep

Relationships are suffering

Feeling fatigued all-day

Having body aches

Feeling stressed and facing mental health issues

Is Working Too Much Harmful?

‍Yes, if you work overtime every day, then it can affect your mental and physical health. As too much sugar, chocolate, exercise, alcohol, etc., is bad for health in the same way, too much work in a day is bad.
According to a study , people who are working more than 61 hours a week can face the risk of high systolic blood pressure. Also, sitting in front of the system for long hours can cause neck, back, and chest pain. Over time, you may also develop heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and anxiety. So, avoid overworking to keep yourself healthy and happy. Always prioritize your health over work.

Final Thoughts

‍Defining your priorities and setting a proper schedule is the key to stopping overwork when working from home. You can try the above tips to make your work life more smooth and relaxing. Also, by adopting the above suggestions, you can get enough time for your hobbies and family every day.
Breaking the habit of overwork isn't easy, but creating a healthier lifestyle is worth the effort. So, stop overworking and start living a balanced life!