Q: I've been working from home since the COVID-19 pandemic began, and it seems that I'll continue to do so. It's difficult to juggle working remotely with my children's online schooling and finding time for myself. How do I find a better work-life balance?
A: Although many people worked remotely before COVID-19, the ongoing pandemic has resulted in more people working from home than ever before. As physical boundaries between work and personal life blur, it can become difficult to manage the two worlds, especially when you have children.
But instead of trying to separate your professional and personal lives, focus on ways to effectively integrate them. Since each family and each person is different, finding the key to effectively blend work and personal life is an individual one.
First, recognize that what works for you may not work for your spouse or children. Have a family conversation to identify what matters most to each of you. With the whole family taking part, you're more apt to achieve your goals for navigating remote work, schooling and other priorities.
A crucial step in achieving good work-life integration is to create and maintain a routine. Make a list of the things each day that you need to do or want to do. Build a schedule around those items.
That schedule will help you identify when work begins and ends, and when you can integrate activities that are important.
For example, if you used to get up and go to the gym, put it on your calendar that at 7 a.m. you will go outside for a walk or a run. Then come home, take a shower and "go" to work.
Many patients talk about missing meals because they are tied to phone calls and video chats, and can't (or forget to) take a break. Schedule time to get up stretch, and get a drink or snack. Your mind will be rejuvenated.