How Prioritizing Wellness Can Help Remote Workers Avoid Burnout

According to IBISWorld, a market research firm, the U.S. corporate wellness industry is worth $6.6 billion, and it's expected to grow by at least 13% over the next decade. At Tulane School of Professional Advancement, our health and wellness programs can help you pursue rewarding opportunities in this growing industry.

Wellness, Remote Work, & Burnout

For many people, being able to work from home was one of the few silver linings of the COVID-19 pandemic. There are obvious benefits of working remotely, but it has also been linked to increasing rates of employee burnout. Using the same spaces for working and relaxing often makes it difficult for people to mentally clock out when the workday ends. In fact, studies have shown that nearly 82% of remote workers feel additional pressure to put in extra hours. Staying home all day can also increase feelings of isolation from coworkers and society in general. Along with being unable to socialize, many people couldn’t go to the gym or take advantage of their office’s wellness programs during the shutdown. These factors, and others, have led to increased rates of burnout among remote workers. People who work from home should try these suggestions to help de-stress and separate their work life from their home life.

Take Regular Walks & Outdoor Breaks

For many remote workers, one of the biggest perks is being able to work on their own schedule. Take advantage of this flexibility by taking breaks throughout the day. Several studies have shown that people who sit while they work should take a break at least every 90 minutes. This helps to increase productivity and improve long-term health outcomes. Going outside for a walk is an easy way to feel better and do better work.

Talk About Burnout

Though remote workers don’t get to see their coworkers in person, it’s good to stay in touch with friends from the office. Having an open and honest dialogue about the difficulties of adjusting to remote work can help people open up about their struggles while creating a safe space to discuss potential solutions, such as hybrid work schedules and planning group activities.

Use Your Vacation Days

Working from home doesn’t mean remote workers should put off taking a vacation. Now that there are numerous ways to travel safely, it’s time to make the most of those PTO days. Getting on a plane and exploring somewhere new can help people who work from home get a much-needed rest. Plus, being able to work from anywhere gives people the option of extending their trips without using additional vacation days.

To help reduce employee burnout and improve their overall wellbeing, many organizations turn to wellness directors and other professionals with similar skills. You can start working toward a leadership role in wellness by earning a health and wellness degree from Tulane SoPA. Our health and wellness program offers a variety of degree options, along with the flexibility to take courses online. Learn more about our financial aid options and how you can pursue a career in wellness by requesting more information about SoPA.