How can you work remotely or flexibly without stress?

Back in 2014, I bid farewell to my corporate career and started an online coaching business so that I'd have more freedom to be present with my family as a new mum. Soon, I realised that juggling a burgeoning business and a baby is no easy feat! Boundaries are a must, but so is flexibility. What's saved me from burnout is my Google Calendar. Instead of keeping to-do lists, I block time in my schedule to tackle each task (personal of professional) that must get done. The advantage of using an online calendar as opposed to a physical diary is twofold: (1) I can access my schedule on the go from any electronic device; (2) If something unexpected comes up, I can easily drag and drop a scheduled task to another time slot.

Do you have a structured work-from-home routine? Well, if you don't, create one. Stick to a routine that closely resembles the one from the office. Routines and plans provide a sense of control over events and reduce anxiety and stress. If the routine collapses, we feel like we don't know where to start and that everything is half-done. Companies that established routines for meetings, virtual workshops, brainstorming sessions with the team, and one-on-one calls with subordinates were found to have fewer difficulties transitioning to remote/ hybrid work.

This is for me the only Positive thing about Covid 18/19/20/21/22/23 so you have got to have 2020 Vision to see this to be True—-Go Neiri an Bothar Leat agus Slan Abhaile

I completely agree. Flip side of working remotely is that people slip into ‘non-formal’ zone. Waking up just minutes before the meeting/work, not appropriately dressed when it’s camera off mode. As mentioned, discipline and structuring are the two most important requirements of remotely working. One should be very happy to save time and money in commuting to the office and not give in to the temptation of homely comforts

Once in a very long time, you may find yourself with the opportunity to explore the natural rhythm of your own creative process and sense of productivity. In my experience, working remotely and flexibly encourages these opportunities. You can recognize the place where stress subsides during moments where you feel powerful, compelled and inspired in your day. Stress does not co-exist at the same level in that emotional and psychological field. Your set point swings into anticipation, enthusiasm, contentment and a sense of purpose. These are big clues to experiencing fulfillment in your life and work. You can allow routine, to be the outer walls that you flow your day through. Rhythm is powerful stuff, I'd encourage you to explore it.

It sounds good to work from home, to avoid traffic, and not pay rent for an office, be able to make your own food, that is healthier and less expensive than going out for lunch every day - but - it can also become very sedentary and lonely. It is important to get friends that are interesting, walk together, or go to the gym. Setting a timer for 50 minutes, get up and do some jumping jacks or some other movements for 5 minutes or so. It is also easy to get caught up with stress, even though you work on your own - dead lines, not enough money - anything! Take regular mental breaks, just 3 - 5 deep breaths, while you imagine you're on the beach or wherever your favorite relaxing place is. You can do it!

A designated workspace is necessary to maintain work and life boundaries in order to focus when necessary and step away when needed. It’s also essential to have a defined transition between work and personal time since you may not be traveling further than another room in the house and shutting off your work mind may require more purposeful planning than a drive home you may have had in your previous setting. Consider how you may visually be able to still see your workspace or have to pass it in your home and what you may be able to do to support this boundary either physically or symbolically to establish balance and peace in your home.

In a conventional office setting, you possess a designated workstation, a conducive environment, and an awareness of where your work essentials reside. The significance of efficiently arranging a dedicated work area at home cannot be overstated. If a separate room isn't an option, restore the setting at the end of the workday. If this is your designated workspace or your personal office, share this fact with other members of your household. Endeavor to closely shape your workspace to emulate a traditional office setting, prioritizing using a desk rather than opting for a seat on a couch or bed. When seated, it's essential to uphold proper posture to avert potential musculoskeletal issues that may arise from incorrect alignment.

A routine, or tremendous self-discipline, is necessary if you work entirely remotely. It's too easy to neglect your job or, worse, your family. This is especially true for self-employed! Try what works best for you, but my advice is to set up a dedicated workplace. It does not have to be a separate room, but it should be a place where you do your work every day to make switching to the work mode easier. And don’t forget to take care of yourself. Your body needs to move to function well. Provide it with as much exercise as your health and situation allow. It’ll pay you back several times later!

I noticed the need to plan check ins with certain groups or people that I previously would have regularly run into or could catch after a meeting that the opportunities were no longer available. I realized schedules were drastically different from one person to another and finding times to meet had to be done with more purposeful planning. Colleagues who were mostly autonomous and task-focused needed to receive information prior to a meeting in order for it to be perceived as productive for them. This was different with those colleagues who were more collaborative and social in addressing needs and problem solving where they benefited more from a meeting to talk it out before starting the work.

The most significant source of miscommunications comes from assumptions of shared context. Always make sure everyone is on the same page by setting the context for the discussion you want to have. It can be a one-line headline to your Slack message, or a pre-read everyone will read silently together during the beginning of the meeting to be on the same page. This may seem awkward, but it's much better than assuming people read your prep before the meeting. They didn’t, because they are too busy, or because they forgot. Or because they did’t check the agenda in advance. It happens more than you think!

For specific problems, seek specific solutions. The most effective technique for this is problem-solving: define the problem, explore possible solutions, choose one, make a plan, and take action. Evaluate whether you have solved the problem. Remember that we are more susceptible to negative thoughts and worries under stress. Limit the time spent worrying to avoid provoking additional stress and anxiety. Define your priorities. They probably don't only include work obligations. When necessary, allow yourself to use the "airplane mode" function, not just on your phone. Breathe without the internet or communication apps; disconnect from unnecessary groups, meetings, or excessive social media and news monitoring.

The already tenuous relationship most have with creating a healthy work life balance for themselves was utterly destroyed by getting to work from home. What seemed like a gift at first quickly felt like a curse to many. Creating the boundaries between work and home, when they occur in the same location, is more essential than ever. The first suggestion is to create a ‘commute buffer’. A routine that provides a buffer between home and work becomes a saving grace when all other tactics fail. Self-care is a misunderstood practice that needs to become an artistic form of personal expression. A way to love ourselves through a life that may not always feel loving. Finding new forms of random social interaction is also highly recommended.

When exercising, do it outside of the home. Preferably at a gym or different location. A change of scenery is good to help clear the mind to help de-dress or just take a mental break. Also, it gives an opportunity to have fresh air and sunlight which is important to one’s health.

Making sure you set your computer or laptop up ergonomically is essential to avoid tech neck, digestive compression and diminished breathing. Using a portable stand and separate keyboard for your laptop keeps us sitting tall and at ease in our bodies. And like previous contributors, getting up for five minutes every hour, if possible, going outside keeps us physically and mentally well and lifts our productivity.

Despite all the responsibilities, don't give up on a healthy lifestyle. Don't sacrifice a healthy diet and regular meals or regular physical activity for the sake of productivity. Also, don't cut short your sleep or time with loved ones. The effect can be quite the opposite. Take care of a healthy diet, regular physical activity, confront stress, relax, and ensure quality sleep. Humor and laughter are some of the best ways to cope with stress. Humor and optimism give us strength and new perspectives in difficult situations. Interestingly, it has been shown that laughter and humor even strengthen the immune system. Even forced laughter helps. So, laugh a lot and joke around when things get tough.

The idea of working "stress-free" is a misnomer; managed stress can motivate. Understanding the stress response is crucial—our brains evolved to react to challenges, releasing cortisol and adrenaline. Some stress is beneficial, but chronic stress harms cognition, emotions, and health. In remote work, the absence of an office does not eliminate stress; new stressors emerge, like blurred work-life boundaries and isolation. Remote work transforms stress rather than erasing it. To thrive, comprehend stress's neural basis and balance the positive and negative aspects. This approach fosters a productive remote work experience, acknowledging that stress's presence is inherent, yet manageable.