The line between work and play can get pretty blurred when you work for home, particularly if you work for yourself. Sometimes ‘relaxing’ can be feel more stressful than sitting at the computer working, if you’re constantly thinking about what you could/should be doing – and how easy it would be to get up and do it.
You probably already recognize the importance of self-discipline, but it may be time to look at it from a new angle. Rather than ordering your day into fixed, no-procrastination periods of enforced work, take a while to think about how you can make relaxation an ‘official’ part of your self-imposed routine. It can be good for your productivity, for your health, and for your relationships with those around you.
Part of the benefit of working at home is that you can choose your own schedule, but if you find this means you wander to your workspace by default when a quiet moment arises then it could be time to enforce some rules. It is not just you who is affected by the hours that you work, but those you live with – and applying some serious discipline to the hours and days in which you give your time wholeheartedly to your loved ones can help everyone to cope with the stressful times a bit better.
Regardless of your place of work, studies have shown that stress can make us less close, less comfortable with dependence, and more anxious in our relationships. Taking time off to relax and try out new things is a great way to counter this, but when you’re your own boss it requires some serious self-management.
For more scientific insight into the way that overworking at home might be impacting your professional and personal life, have a look at this infographic from NetCredit. It comes with some great tips on how to get the balance right, such as sealing off a specific work area as ‘no-go’ during the weekends and methods to relax your mind and body. Your home can be a productive and happy place, as long as balance remains a priority.
