Avoiding Technology Burnout

By John Bemis On November 24, 2020 · In Candidate Advice

Updated: April 13, 2023

In the age of remote work, there’s one thing we want our clients and candidates to avoid beyond the pandemic: the technology burnout factor. Working from home has become the new normal in our current environment, and a disadvantage that comes with it is the side effect of burning yourself out.

How to Avoid the Technology Burnout Factor

Burnout is a state of mental and physical exhaustion caused by prolonged and unresolved stress due to a demanding schedule. It’s overwhelming, especially in a global state of uncertainty, and setting healthy boundaries between work and home should be at the forefront. Here is our helpful advice to avoid the technology burnout factor while working from home:

Establish a Routine

When working from home, it’s important for you to establish your routine in order to stick to your normal work mindset and stay productive. Without your normal commute to the office, it’s easy to sleep in longer and take advantage of that flexibility. We recommend that you continue waking up as if you had a commute ahead of you. Doing this keeps your normal work routine and sets the tone for the day.

According to insights from our Work from Home Survey, we found that many technology professionals found it difficult to remain productive due to the change in their work style. Keeping your normal work routine and keeping your regular work hours helps with this issue.

Set Up Tasks and Deadlines

Avoid the technology burnout factor and work overtime at home by setting up deadlines for yourself. The flexibility that comes with working remotely does not need to result in working late at night to meet deadlines. Set up your tasks and deadlines and give yourself the plan to meet them. Having this set schedule sets you up for success, rather than potential burnout. If you feel you still cannot meet deadlines or have an excessive workload after putting this plan in place, speak to your manager about project delivery and what you can handle. Communication is key, especially in times like this.

Stay Connected

Sitting alone in your designated home office space without the company of your coworkers makes people feel isolated. Working remotely does not mean communication needs to stop. Schedule video calls, make phone calls, or chat instantly using other platforms such as Microsoft Teams, to stay connected with your team members. Find the right communication tool for you and your team. Staying connected with colleagues is great to relieve stress and avoid burnout while you’re working from home.

Create a Designated Workspace

Working from home is a big change from being in an office, especially when it comes to your workspace. Not having a proper office set up leads to frustration and stress. This is even more stressful for individuals with family members or roommates under the same roof. If you do not have an office space, try to design an area in your home that minimizes distractions. Having this quiet space of your own maximizes productivity and eliminates distractions to work efficiently.

Take Short Breaks

While working remotely, it’s easy to work continuously at your desk because you don’t take regular short breaks as if you were in the office. It’s natural to become easily engrossed in the work that you do when you are isolated in your home; however, this leads to working continuously for hours and leads to exhaustion and burnout. It’s perfectly OK to take short five-minute breaks here and there and remove yourself from work. Taking a quick walk or just simply giving your eyes a rest from your computer improves your productivity and quality of work in the long run. It’s easy to get caught up in your work while you are remote, but your mental and physical health is also very important and should be practiced throughout the day.

Set Boundaries

It’s difficult to establish that fine line between work life and home life when they are in the same environment. To avoid potential burnout, it’s important to set those boundaries and limits and create a good work/life balance. Establish a firm start and end time to your workday as if you were in the office. Without these boundaries, you will experience burnout, and if you’re burned out you can’t be an effective employee. Setting that strict boundary is better for both you and your company.

Practice Self Care!

The stress that comes with working remotely is overwhelming. It’s vital to make time for yourself both mentally and physically so that you are able to recharge and be productive during your work hours. Your health is very important and should not be disregarded just because you are at home. During these times, everyone is doing their best, including you! Remember to practice self-care so that you avoid burnout and continue to be a great employee for your organization.

Experiencing the technology burnout factor while working from home is more common than you think. Follow the advice above to avoid this and ensure you are healthy and productive in your job.

About Benchmark IT –Technology Talent

Benchmark IT offers technology consulting, executive search, and direct hire recruitment and staffing services. We service a wide range of clients and industries throughout the metro New York area and beyond. Our proprietary recruitment process and dedication to precision, ethics, and personalized service sets us apart from other recruiting firms. As a result, Benchmark IT has become a trusted partner among Fortune-ranked companies, mid-market, start-up, and growth-phase firms since 2007.