Teletherapy... How to find and maintain a work-life balance

There are numerous benefits to providing teletherapy (see our blog post here!), but when you add in a global pandemic, your own kids homeschooling, and a spouse who is telecommuting, the work-life balance can seem much more difficult to find! 

Here are some tips on how to find and maintain a work-life balance:

Create a schedule and stick to it.

This may seem simple, but when your work is in your home, it’s very easy for work and home to get in the way of each other. Find a way to create and follow a schedule just like you would if you were working away from home.

Make a workstation.

Set up a place to work that is different from where you eat, sleep, exercise or relax. Your family will know when you are there it is time for work. They will also know the items in that area are for work. Even if your work area is in a corner, leave it just as you would your office, at a certain point during the day.

Use one specific device for work related material.

Pick one computer or device to use for work related email and other messages. Use only that device to read and respond to those during your scheduled work hours.

Keep a morning, evening and daily routine with your family.

With young children in your home, finding a routine is key. Build into your schedule breaks to help with school work and daily life needs. If you exercised in the morning or after work in the evening when working outside of the house, continue that routine while working from home.

Have pre-planned cues to let others in the house know when you are busy.

Setting up boundaries has to happen not only with your colleagues but with your family as well. Drawing mental boundaries, as well as physical boundaries with those around you is critical to find that work-life balance.

Soon working from home will be the new normal, and once you’ve set boundaries, finding and maintaining a work-life balance is much easier. The future is bright for teletherapy!