What are effective ways to avoid burnout when working from home in Public Relations?

This varies based on the core being. Having supervised teams in three different roles across journalism, marketing, and consulting, the consistent theme is that Type A may reduce their burnout symptoms more if they occasionally pause to reframe how they think about their situation. They may benefit from thinking through their situation and finding what is optimistic about their current work situation. Type B may achieve larger reductions in burnout from thinking about how they have approached similar situations before or from engaging in relaxation or mindfulness exercises. -

Establish a consistent daily routine. Set specific times for work, breaks, and personal activities. This not only creates a sense of structure but also helps in mentally transitioning between work and personal life. A well-defined routine contributes to a more organized and sustainable work-from-home experience.

SELF CARE is a must. Setting boundaries. One of the most significant triggers or causes of burnout is a lack of boundaries. This means creating a work schedule with breaks and room to breathe. Prioritizing rest is essential, especially for those working in an environment as stressful as the PR industry. Although the optimal sleep hours vary from person to person, the average adult needs between seven and nine hours of sleep, although some people feel revived after six hours. The key is to get enough sleep and take breaks throughout the day. Exercise is a great way to shake off all this extra stress and channel it into hard-hitting exercises. It pumps up your endorphins and makes you feel great and extra energized for the day ahead.

Balance is so important - especially when doing remote work. It's easy to sit down and never get up. Taking a break to take a walk, step outside for some fresh air and sunshine, or even reading an article that is interesting but maybe not key to your job. They all help your mind and body shift for a few moments. Breaks help you come back refreshed and more focused.

Time blocking your day is the easiest way to set clear boundaries. It's rather difficult for someone to book into your calendar if there's no available slots. Plus as you progress throughout your day you can ensure that each task doesn't take up too much of your day and that you can get the most out of each day.

Anyone in comms not multitask? Or never have unexpected tasks? This is comms life and planning your schedule can be challenging but the most important thing is prioritizing the high-impact tasks - the top 2-3 things you need to get done in a day (including those longer term projects). And when you’re not working at your max capacity (and we all have those moments) just move to get the tasks done that don’t require a lot of strategic thinking.

One way to help with your to-do list is to also set a timer for yourself and commit to one of the tasks on your list. If I really need to focus on one task, I’ll set my timer to one hour and work on that task without interruption. Once the timer goes off, I’ll allow a short 10-minute break before resuming my list. Managing this time also allows you to avoid working “X” hours straight and potentially working through lunch hours. Focus and short breaks are needed. And starting a timer accomplishes both necessities!

Get outside! There are no shortage of data and studies showing the benefits of sunlight for the body and mind. Take your calls on a walk. Meet with others in open air settings. See or touch nature, even if briefly, every day. It will put things in perspective, recharge your batteries, spur creative thought and ease your stress.

Sometimes it is necessary to work in a different environment when you are home too long. I would suggest going to a cafe or a co-working space when you would like some interaction with other people. Also, I would strongly suggest not working in your pajamas.

When working from home, it's easy to log out of a Zoom call and feel like you're all alone with nothing by your to-do list. Be intentional in how you seek support: - Schedule 1:1 chats with others on your team you don't get to work with often - Reach out to other professionals through LinkedIn and see if they would be game for a virtual networking conversation - Make time to communicate with people who aren't in your field, but still offer useful perspective like a college friend who can share more about their work in finance or a former colleague who has gone back to school

Productivity isn't measured by how long we can keep going without a break; it's about how effectively we can perform when we are working. By regularly unplugging, we're not just doing ourselves a favor; we're setting a standard for healthier, more sustainable work habits.

Your environment is just as important as how you plan and go about your day. If you spend all day with distractions around you you may think that you did a fair amount of work. Working in a room without your phone, with water, with optimal lighting and setting timers and goals for what to accomplish each hour will get you fast results.