The importance of boundaries
Is your team working from home or does it feel more like living at work?
Right now, many aspects of our lives are co-existing in the same space. While home used to be a haven and a total switch off from work, for many it is now the same physical and mental space. Managing healthy work boundaries can be tricky but a few tweaks can make them far more defined. How about trying these for size…
Structure your day
Being clear about when you work and when you clock off can make your workday flow far better. Identify the set times when you are “on the clock” and “off the clock” and stick to them. Also, try to work away from the main living area if you can. If this is not possible, pack away your work at lunchtime and after work. If you are co-parenting, make a clear schedule for when one parent is on “kid duty” and when the other can get stuck into work. Make sure that this is done fairly and agreed in advance.
Keep up the commute
Getting outside briefly, before and after work, can have a very grounding effect. Try walking around the block to work and then again at the end of the day. If you live alone, combining this with a friend or neighbour could be a nice way to gear up or debrief.
Prioritise mental health
The combination of stress, ambiguity and monotony can be a dangerous one for our mental health. It is not enough to just hold firm until the vaccine rolls out. We need to do right by our mental health now, so make sure you make time each day for rest, activity and something you enjoy.
Take a break from screen time
We’ve heard this before, but we need to actually start doing it now! Work is on a screen, life admin is on a screen, often our social life is on a screen and then we sit down to relax in the evening in front of a giant screen. Give yourself a break from it. Let your gaze go further and you will notice a difference.
If you lead a team, create the space to allow for team members to set their own individual boundaries around work and home. Remember most people need to “see it to be it”, so make sure to model good behaviour by establishing and communicating how you are managing your own boundaries.
