It’s more and more common for daily commutes to the office to be replaced by the flexibility of remote work. Remote jobs represent a chance for candidates to achieve a healthier work-life balance while growing their careers.
Remote work has a lot of benefits, that’s a fact. But it’s all fun and games until work and personal life boundaries start to blur and maintaining the balance becomes a challenge. Keep on reading to find out how to turn remote work into a life-enhancing experience, not a 24/7 commitment.
The importance of work-life balance
Remote jobs’ popularity has grown not just because they let you work from the comfort of home but… from literally anywhere, as long as Wi-Fi is strong. A study by Buffer’s 2023 State of Remote Work found that 98% of workers would like to work remotely, at least some of the time. The same percentage of people would also recommend remote work to others.
This trend has sparked the demand for roles like data entry remote jobs, remote executive assistant jobs, and even entry-level tech jobs that can be done from home. But with the comfort of home comes the risk of “overworking” due to blurred boundaries. The goal now is to create a harmonious balance between work and personal life.
Challenges employees face when working from home
Remote work can be especially tricky for young professionals who are still learning to be self disciplined and manage boundaries between their personal and professional lives. Common pain points include:
- Lack of boundaries
Without a commute to signal the start and end of the workday, it’s easy to keep working overtime. - Tech challenges and security issues
Remote work relies on technology, which comes with its own set of challenges. Tech issues may vary from unreliable internet connections to software incompatibilities, which can hinder productivity. Further, remote work increases security breach risks, as employees access company networks from various, potentially unsecured locations. - Loneliness
The Buffer report revealed that 23% of remote workers report loneliness as the biggest struggle in remote work. - Staying focused
While remote work allows you to work from basically everywhere, each new location has its own distractions. Whether it’s because of your family and neighbours, or some noisy guests at a local coffee shop, remote employees often struggle to find a distraction-free zone where they can concentrate on work tasks. - Difficulty in prioritising tasks
When working from home, household distractions, family or roommates can pose a challenge to stay focused
Addressing these challenges is essential for finding work-life balance and job satisfaction.
Proven Tips to Achieve Work-Life Balance in Remote Jobs
Here’s what you can do if you want to achieve a solid work-life balance while working remotely.
Set clear boundaries
Set up a designated office space and define your office hours, and make sure people living with you (if any) are aware of those times.
Take regular breaks
Use tools like the Pomodoro Technique or schedule regular short breaks to prevent burnout. It’s important to communicate with your teammates and stay on top of work tasks - tools like Slack and Asana can streamline the process, but don’t let notifications take over your life.
Focus on task completion over hours
In remote work, productivity isn’t about hours but about achieving goals. Track your work and focus on what you accomplish, not just how long you sit at your desk.
How nPloy can help you find a remote job
Can candidates and teams working remotely make the most of it without losing work-life balance? Enter nPloy, an AI-powered job-matching platform that helps you find remote jobs and enables employers to find the right remote talent. Here’s how:
AI job matching between candidates and remote jobs
Whether you’re a tech professional or looking for remote entry-level jobs, nPloy’s AI algorithms match candidates with roles suited to their skills and work preferences.
Flexible job opportunities
The app offers a variety of remote jobs, from remote sales jobs to digital marketing and tech jobs, making it easier to find the right fit for your lifestyle.
Community and resources
nPloy provides resources for maintaining a healthy work-life balance, with tips on our blog and in the app. You can join relevant communities (such as Digital nomads and Fresh graduates) and find support without fear of being judged or misunderstood..
nPloy makes it easy for both job seekers and employers to bridge the gap between productivity and personal well-being, enabling a balanced and fulfilling remote work experience. Simply download the app(it’s free), create a profile (it takes less than 2 minutes) and swipe your way to your dream job.
Conclusion
Balancing remote work with personal life might take some time, but with the right tools and mindset it’s possible. With nPloy, young professionals can find jobs that align with their skills and values while benefiting from resources that help maintain a healthy work-life balance.
FAQs
How to separate work and personal life when working from home?
Separating work and personal life while working from home requires setting clear boundaries. Create a dedicated workspace to establish physical separation between work and home. Stick to consistent work hours, logging in and out at the same times each day, and let others know when you’re unavailable - this will help you minimise interruptions. These practices help maintain a structured routine, making it easier to shift between professional and personal modes.
How to have a life when you work from home?
Maintaining a life while working remotely involves using the flexibility of remote work to your advantage. Take regular breaks to recharge and ensure you fully log out at the end of your workday to preserve personal time. Connect with friends, family, or colleagues outside of work hours, and prioritise activities that bring joy and relaxation into your daily routine.
Does remote work improve work-life balance?
Remote work can improve work-life balance by eliminating daily commutes. However, the benefits depend on your ability to set boundaries and create a structured routine. Without these measures, the lines between work and personal life can blur, making it challenging to achieve balance. The key lies in being intentional about managing your time and commitments.
How do you assess your work-life balance?
To assess your work-life balance, reflect on whether work intrudes into your personal time, such as working weekends or evenings. Consider if you feel burned out or struggle to disconnect after work hours. A healthy balance means being able to take regular breaks, maintain energy, and feel satisfied with both work and personal aspects of your life.
Are people happier working from home?
People often feel happier working from home due to the freedom, flexibility, and absence of commutes. However, it’s good to consider challenges like loneliness or difficulty in separating work from personal life that can impact overall happiness. The ability to manage these challenges effectively determines whether remote work contributes positively to one’s well-being.
Is remote work less stressful?
Remote work can reduce stress by allowing for a more comfortable and personalised work environment, as well as eliminating the stress of commuting. If boundaries between work and home life are not clearly defined or if feelings of isolation arise, remote work can become a source of stress. The impact largely depends on how well individuals navigate its challenges.
What tools help maintain productivity in remote work?
To ensure you’re being productive while working from home, start by setting a dedicated office space.
Now, on to the tools and technologies that can help you main productivity while working remotely. Tools like Slack and Zoom enhance communication, while project management platforms such as Trello and Asana keep teams organised. For time tracking, apps like Toggl or RescueTime help optimise efficiency. Cloud storage solutions like Google Drive and Dropbox simplify file sharing, and distraction blockers like Freedom or Forest help maintain focus.
What types of jobs offer the best work-life balance?
Jobs in tech (software development, UX design), healthcare (occupational therapy, dietetics), and education (instructional design, tutoring) are known for offering flexibility and manageable workloads. Creative roles like graphic design or content writing also provide autonomy, while government and public sector positions often have structured hours. Prioritising roles with flexible scheduling and supportive employers helps maintain balance.
What tools help maintain productivity in remote work?
To ensure you’re being productive while working from home, start by setting a dedicated office space.
Now, on to the tools and technologies that can help you main productivity while working remotely. Tools like Slack and Zoom enhance communication, while project management platforms such as Trello and Asana keep teams organised. For time tracking, apps like Toggl or RescueTime help optimise efficiency. Cloud storage solutions like Google Drive and Dropbox simplify file sharing, and distraction blockers like Freedom or Forest help maintain focus.
What types of jobs offer the best work-life balance?
Jobs in tech (software development, UX design), healthcare (occupational therapy, dietetics), and education (instructional design, tutoring) are known for offering flexibility and manageable workloads. Creative roles like graphic design or content writing also provide autonomy, while government and public sector positions often have structured hours. Prioritising roles with flexible scheduling and supportive employers helps maintain balance.
