How to Stay Mindful in Hybrid Workplaces

The world of work has changed drastically. So has workplace wellness. In a recent study, Slack discovered that people want to work flexibly, the world is leaning toward the hybrid model.

But, there are several challenges associated with this work environment. For one, it can create a disconnect among a team. At the same time, it poses the risk of burnout. 

How can you stay productive in a hybrid workspace but still feel happy and mindful? That’s what today’s article is about.

Hybrid Workplaces – what are they?

It’s easy to confuse a hybrid workplace with a remote one. So what does a hybrid workplace mean? In a hybrid workplace, you are at liberty to work from both the office and from your home. It depends on your schedule and convenience. 

Hybrid work has several variations. Some companies might allow you to alternate spending half of the week in the office and half remotely. Others will let you work full-time remotely, or from anywhere you feel most productive, while specific employees work on-site.

The critical point of this working method is that it gives you the option to choose your work setting. It also ensures these locations can help you deliver maximum efficiency and productivity. 

Hybrid Workplaces Could Lead To Burnout

Burnout is the physical or mental exhaustion of our brains, bodies, and souls. It can occur as a result of long-term stress, whether at work or at home. If not implemented correctly, the hybrid work model can cause burnout and reduce wellness at work.

For example, in-office and remote work both have their challenges. If you’re working in an office, you’ll have to endure long commutes and the social stresses of interaction with others daily. Whereas working at home can keep you in an unhealthy workaholic routine.

When juggling the two, things can get even worse. In a hybrid workplace, you deal with the stresses of both approaches. Add that to the exhausting routine of dividing time between work and home, and you’ll eventually have a ‘hybrid burnout.’

When you overwhelm yourself with work, something has to give. Usually, it’s your mental health. The spillover effect causes decreased job performance, mood swings, and feelings of cynicism.

Work-Life Balance In A Changing Environment

Some of the biggest perks the pandemic brought are work flexibility and remote work. But this new way of working also presents problems. Studies have shown that 69 percent of remote workers have experienced burnout while working from home. Work-life overlap plays a massive role in this.

Having a healthy work-life balance means different things for us individually. However, the main idea is to make sure that you feel fulfilled in your professional projects and your social activities. This doesn’t mean you should split your time 50/50 between work and leisure. It means having enough time to get everything done and still feeling like it’s worth it.

To achieve a healthy work-life balance, both the organization and its employees must be involved. As an employer, put a corporate health improvement culture in place. Keep workers engaged and in sync with the organization. If they feel connected, they will be more productive and happy to work. 

As an individual, you must be mindful and present as you live each day. Become reflexive, challenge your limiting beliefs, and redefine your roles in and outside work for a healthy work-life balance.

How to Keep Employees Engaged

If you are an employer, set guidelines for inclusion, communication, and collaboration. When people used to go into an office each day, they could easily interact with other employees. But in a hybrid environment, some employees are left to themselves. They will feel disconnected if the organization doesn’t provide ways for people to interact effectively.

? Get every member of the work team on board. Design team meetings that require both remote and on-site employees to attend.

? As part of your employee wellness routine, ensure that they regularly check-in for brainstorming or emotional support. 

? Implement fun activities not related to work to keep the team engaged. A virtual trivia session or a stretching break can be a good opportunity to disconnect from daily duties and share a nice moment with colleagues. Not to mention further physical and mental well-being benefits. 

? All key talks, processes, and workflows should be documented or recorded. This way, everyone is aware of what is going on at all times.

? Remember to thank your staff – whether they work from home or in the office. Thank them for helping the firm achieve its goals.

Maintain a Well-Working Professional And Private Life

Next, consider the emotions that these revelations trigger.

➡️ Are they positive or negative?

If you feel angry or resentful, it means you should make a change. But to make a change, you need to prioritize.

➡️ What can you change to make your life more fulfilling?

Now, it’s time to set things straight.

✅ Create and maintain boundaries. Creating structures and routines will help maintain healthy boundaries and keep you organized. One thing you can do is create a special ‘work room’ in your house. Leave work-related objects in this room when you’re done for the day. You can also dress up when it’s time for work. And change to something more casual to signal that work time is over.

✅ Though lockdown and social exclusion still apply, find social engagements that you can handle and benefit from. For example, if your family lives close by, think of hosting family dinners on weekends. Or speak to loved ones over the phone if that’s more convenient for you. Whatever you do, remember that connection with family is worth making time for.

Mindset Shifts We Need – the future of work

A hybrid model is more complicated than a fully remote one. For this reason, you need to undergo a significant mindset shift if you want to thrive in it. The biggest mind shift is in the area of employee wellness. Rather than considering employee well-being as a ‘nice-to-have,’ it’s time to make it a priority in everything your company does.

Employee mental health and well-being aren’t only a plus; they’re essential to achieving more as a group. According to Forbes, supporting employee well-being is the new normal of remote work. Ultimately, a future-proof workplace encompasses a healthy mix of physical and mental wellness options. By pursuing a balance between them, you’ll create a workplace that your employees want to come to every day!

Prioritize Employee Wellbeing

Your employees will be more inclined to stay with your organization if you emphasize wellness and company culture as part of its ideology. Another benefit of implementing a workplace wellness program is increased productivity. According to a 2017 study, productivity can increase by up to 5% when the staff is healthy. This is the equivalent of one full day of work in a month.

The wellness room at your firm should be a distinct area apart from the office bustle where employees can recuperate from illness or stress. Give your workers all the apps and resources they need to feel empowered to take care of their health. Pay attention to signs of distress. Conduct employee wellness surveys and host events related to ensuring your workers are mentally healthy. 

For example, Spotify has recently gone hybrid as part of their plan to enhance sustainability, flexibility, and well-being. They’ve given workers more freedom to help them achieve a better work-life balance while improving productivity.

Is Work Anywhere, Anytime The Future? 

There has been a silver lining in the wake of a challenging year: the pandemic gives us a chance to rethink how we work and take care of our health. The work anywhere, anytime model may seem like a band-aid solution. But it’s here to stay.

For this practice to succeed, however, you must create a balance between work and private life.

To achieve this goal, find a hybrid workplace with careful planning, conscious communication, and a commitment to providing workplace wellness.