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In life, it is essential to do everything in moderation that includes exercise, work, food, and indulging in bad habits such as alcohol. For all of us struck by the pandemic, life has been topsy turvy with work from home being a norm. With no defined work hours or commuting issues, the productivity of employees has risen by 10% and more as per surveys. It’s important for companies and people to realise that however employees are working (office, hybrid model, or work from home); a clear balance between work hours and a healthy personal & social life needs to be established. In this blog, we are putting across simple tips for achieving the same.
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Demarcate work boundaries. Whether working at home or in a hybrid model, it’s important to set your personal boundaries for work and try to stick to it as much as possible. Define your work hours (stick to the office hours of your organisation). Avoid accepting work outside these work hours and gently inform your superior (and your employees) of the same. Have a fixed lunch period as well short break periods throughout the day. Regular downtimes need to be scheduled to give the body, mind, and soul the break & rest they need to ensure that you function optimally.
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Be socially bonded with colleagues. This is especially important for professionals who are not very social / friendly with colleagues. Social interactions & bonds are important for wellbeing and this is definitely applicable to the office environment as well. Social bonds in the office improve productivity as well as employee engagement manifold. By maintaining an active social engagement (non work related) with colleagues is important for a healthy mental framework. It includes catching up socially outside the office, 10 minutes of informal chit-chat on video call before the agenda of the meeting is discussed, off sites, online games, etc.
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Enhance your workspace. Structuring your work desk (at home or office) has an impact on productivity and approach to work. To begin with, clean your desk daily. Then de clutter on a permanent basis. At home, invest in ergonomic furniture and set up your “office at home “in a quiet and relaxed part of the house. A standing work desk is another product you could consider investing in for yourself. Create a soothing environment at home that enhances productivity and doesn’t clutter the mind.
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Talk about work stress, pressure, and mental health with everyone concerned. If you are burdened / stressed with workload and deadlines, speak up to HR or any other person of authority. It’s imperative that management of all companies have a pro-active policy on work-life balance and employee well being (mental, physical, and emotional). It’s when employees speak up that companies are forced to act. Be the whistleblower, the change maker in your company. Others will thank you.
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Be good to yourself. Don’t push or punish yourself. You are already dealing with a lot on your plate. No one expects you to be the master of all. Give yourself a break. Set practical and realistic targets & deadlines. Find time to relax, unwind, exercise, or rejuvenate.
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