It comes as no surprise that remote workers experience significant challenges that can alter their productivity rates and their health. A Monster.com survey showed that 69% of us experienced remote worker burnout symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic. The idea of sitting for prolonged periods in front of a computer screen, responding to emails, and participating in meetings is enough to drain your physical and mental health.
With remote connectivity challenging our job culture, employers and employees must take evasive action to maintain their health. In this Scoot guide, we will cover the symptoms of remote work burnout along with basic steps to maintaining a productive workforce.
The Signs of Remote Worker Burnout
In order to discuss measures to redress work-from-home burnout, we must first understand how to recognize the symptoms. While feelings of remote exhaustion are different for everyone, here are some remote worker burnout signs to look out for:
- High levels of exhaustion
- A lack of energy or enthusiasm in one’s work
- Decreased concentration levels
- Sudden mood swings
- Physical pain, such as headaches and dizziness
- Inability to complete work
- Chronic fatigue
- Changes to sleeping patterns
- Short-term memory loss
- Feelings of anxiety and depression
Keep in mind that this is not a complete list of all the symptoms. Feelings of burnout are comprehensive and are likely to vary. Also, you don’t have to exhibit all these symptoms to experience sensations associated with remote fatigue.
Six Steps to Combat Remote Worker Burnout
According to a Zippia report on remote burnout, 49 percent of remote employees stated that they feel overwhelmed by personal and work obligations. Sixty-seven percent felt pressured to always be available. If anything, these numbers give us clear insight into the struggles of maintaining high levels of employee productivity. Here are some tips to consider to combat remote worker burnout:
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Establish proper communication
Effective communication with employers is essential to minimizing feelings of dread and inactivity in a remote setting. If you’re an employer, aim to establish ongoing communication with your workforce. Listen, respond, and take evasive action based on the feedback you receive. By doing so, you boost employee morale and establish a company culture based on value and appreciation.
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Create a routine
Without a proper routine, managing your day-to-day responsibilities is a difficult endeavor. Sit down and establish a detailed schedule that allows you to address personal and work obligations without feeling overwhelmed. Get into the habit of having structure in your everyday life. Without any organization, you’ll feel consumed and powerless in the face of obligations.
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Establish touch-base meetings
Cultivating meaningful relationships with your employees can go a long way in reducing remote burnout. Touch-base meetings help management catch up with their workers and listen to any concerns they might have. The key to conducting a successful one is to establish an informal dialogue with an employee, allowing them to speak freely without feeling constrained or judged.
If you need an innovative platform for touch-base gatherings, our Social Presence platform is the perfect solution. With our customizable features and the ability to move freely in a virtual space, you can foster employee engagement and establish an energized workforce that leads to better business results.
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Prioritize your sleep
This tip is a no-brainer. Getting enough sleep is essential for practicing self-care and remaining productive in a remote setting. According to a sleep deprivation study, sleep loss is associated with low work performance. Furthermore, the lack of sleep can cause confusion and result in errors and bad decisions on the employee’s part.
Adults should get at least seven hours of sleep to promote optimal health, maintain high energy levels, and reduce self-burnout.
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Offer flexible hours
Oftentimes, employees feel burned out because they are overworked or feel as if they have no control over their schedules. If you’re an employer, avoid imposing rigid schedules with no room for flexibility. Doing so can exacerbate problems in the workforce, leading to high remote burnout rates. Consider offering flexible schedules so your employees can take a balanced approach in their personal and professional lives.
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Get some exercise
It is no surprise that everyone benefits from regular exercise routines. When it comes to physical wellness, remote employees should always make time for daily workout routines. At some point, you’ll want to stretch your legs, get your blood circulating, and get your body to do something other than sit in front of a computer screen all day. We recommend one or two workouts early in the morning. This way, you’ll feel much more energized and engaged in your tasks.
Combat Fatigue with Scoot
Learning how to reduce remote worker burnout trends is essential to maintaining a productive workforce and achieving long-term company objectives. Scoot is a new kind of virtual meeting and events platform that brings movement, music and mingling back to otherwise boring virtual meetings.
If you’d like to learn how Scoot can help you combat remote worker burnout and accelerate your business in an era of remote connectivity, request a demo. If you are not satisfied, we offer a 90-day money-back guarantee.
Contact us for more information.
