5 Tips For Work-Life Balance When Working From Home

I don't think anyone can argue that avoiding traffic and working from home can be a major blessing. There are always two sides to a coin though. Finding ways to combat the challenges will make work-life balance come much easier!

Create a Morning Ritual: A nutritious breakfast, shower, and a relaxing routine, such as walking your dog, meditating, or reading the paper, will help start your morning right. Instead of scrambling for control over work chaos at the beginning of each day, jot down a to-do list the night before. Consulting this plan each morning will help center your thoughts on the priorities of the day ahead.

Divert Distractions: Before declaring an area of your home open for business, talk with your family members or housemates about the level of privacy you need, your schedule, and when you normally take your breaks. Establishing office hours early on will help limit interruptions later.

One of the perks many teleworkers enjoy is the flexibility to work non-traditional hours, or work toward a deadline as opposed to a set amount of hours per day. While it's tempting to succumb to dirty dishes, loads of laundry, and household bills at random hours, setting aside specific times for chores will help keep your work hours dedicated to work.

Remember the 20/20/20 Rule: To help reduce eye strain when working on the computer, doctors recommend looking away from the screen every 20 minutes and gazing at a distant object 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. Other ways to be kinder to your eyes: Adjust your monitor's brightness control, blink more frequently, and take breaks away from your desk.

Change Your Backdrop: When cabin fever creeps in, a little local color may give you the lift you need. The hustle and bustle of your neighborhood coffee shop may stir up new ideas. For a more meditative atmosphere, try plugging in at a quiet café or library. Sometimes, too, it may just be a matter of taking a five-minute stroll outside to freshen your focus.

Say Goodnight, Gracie: A home office means work is always beckoning from the wings. Many telecommuters, consequently, log much longer days or burn the midnight oil well past midnight. Whether it means your work is divided into increments throughout the day and evening or your goal is to mirror a more traditional timetable, creating healthy boundaries will help you better enjoy your professional life-- and your personal one.

To read more go to: womeninbusiness.about.com

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