7min read

7min read
It’s not easy balancing work and home, but how well you manage this can make a significant difference to your relationship with your family.
Watch our video for 7 tips on how to keep a work life balance
We understand it is not an easy transition if you are now working from home. These tips will help you make sure that you’re successful, both at getting your work done and at maintaining your mental wellbeing.
Get dressed for the day
It might seem like a simple tip, but it’s a crucial one. Although it may be tempting to work in your PJs and for some it doesn't make a difference. Research has shown that getting dressed can help with productivity and for getting your mind in work mode.
Find a workspace that works for you
If you’re used to going into an office each day, the separation between work and home is physical. Your workspace doesn’t have to be its own room but it should feel as separate from the rest of your home as possible. Try to make your workspace comfortable too and ensure you take breaks too.
Time management
The biggest difference between working from home and working in the office is that you are in charge of your environment and have to treat yourself like an employee. This means holding yourself accountable, but also recognising when enough is enough, just as a good manager might. If you feel yourself extending your work hours because you aren’t doing anything in the evening, tell yourself it’s time to put work away, recharge, and start tomorrow with a fresh mind. The work will be there in the morning.
Build transitions into and out of work
Your morning commute not only gets you to work but it also gives your brain time to prepare for work. Just because you’re not travelling doesn’t mean you shouldn’t carve out equivalent routines to help you ease into your workday. Whether it is eating breakfast and drinking your cuppa, start your day with a virtual commute.
Limit the news and other distractions
Right now, one of the biggest distractions is the news. And if you’re working remotely because of the coronavirus, checking in on COVID-19 updates is going to be at the front of your mind. It’s good to stay informed, of course, but it’s also easy to scroll yourself into an anxious mess. Limit yourself and put your emotional health first.
Communicate and reach out
When the whole office suddenly starts working from home, you’re cutting off a lot of the casual social interactions you’re used to having throughout the day that helps you feel less lonely and break up the working day. We would encourage you to take a virtual video coffee break with your colleagues as and when you can, this will help combat isolation and help with working from home. Lots of us are feeling anxious and uncertain right now, and suddenly being isolated at home can amplify these feelings. Don’t hesitate to reach out to a colleague just to ask how they’re doing.
Work life balance is something most parents really crave. Recent surveys reveal that many parents are eager to make changes so they can work more flexibly, even if it affects their pay, because they know that having time with their children is important.
In reality though, getting the balance right is tricky. Truth is we work longer hours in this country than anyone else in Europe, so chances are when Britain’s parents finally arrive home they may not have the energy for a game of football in the park, or six rounds battling with the maths homework waiting on the kitchen table. Making changes at work by talking your hours through with your boss is a good step, but even if you can’t make big changes, or don’t want to, some small steps – the tiniest changes to routine – can make the biggest difference, to your children and to you.
There are pros and cons to every option. If you are employed full-time or part-time, you may:
But you may also feel:
There are no 'right' or 'wrong' choices, and your choices will change at different stages in your family’s life. If you are in a couple, it may feel easier if one partner stays at home while the other goes out to work or if one is in full-time employment and the other part-time, and for others, both may continue with full-time jobs. If you are a parent managing on your own or sharing parenting with your ex, the choices you have are more limited and you’ll have less support in making those choices. Trying to balance work and home life is even more difficult. You may not always feel in control but there are things you can do and think about to help manage the balance between work and home.
However you approach this, it is important to enjoy the time you have with your children. We understand that this is not always easy to do but the smallest changes can make the world of difference. Spending time with your children can help your family relationships become stronger and develop tighter bonds.