The sudden rise of work from home, or WFH as it is now being referred to, has transformed the world of employment by providing flexibility, among other benefits. Nowadays, almost anyone can apply for remote royal mail vacancies or other similar opportunities and enjoy the perks of being employed while staying at home with the family.
However, it can also prove to be challenging for fathers who are taking care of their children to also work from home at the same time. These men become caught between worrying about performing well in their jobs and bearing responsibilities for their children, which can and does often lead to burnout.
While most people understand the principles of self-care, it is essential to put these principles into practice, to ensure your health and well-being while boosting productivity. Experts from job aggregator Jooble are here to help you, with some actionable advice in this regard.
The Dual Role Challenge
If you are a WFH father, your home is both a workplace and a childcare center. In contrast to conventional organizational environments, where clear work/home boundaries are easy to set since the two are territorially distinct, WFH minimizes the possibility of a clear separation between the two.
It is quite tiresome to switch from replying to work emails to meeting the needs of your children. In time, this leads to burnout, low productivity at work and in the household, and rigid relationships in the family. It is therefore important that you do whatever it takes to see to it that you are able to maintain your health as well as your energy levels at work and at home.
The Importance of Self-Care
Self-care means taking positive action and making an effort to uphold and enhance wellbeing. In the context of WFH fathers, self-care is not only a necessity, but rather a survival tool. Here are some reasons why self-care is particularly important:
- Preventing Burnout
A situation where you are always on the move, lack enough sleep or rest, brings about stress. Taking breaks, exercising and doing other leisure activities can assist you in re-energizing as well as preventing stress.
- Maintaining Productivity
Healthy people are more likely to produce good results in their work. Caring for yourself strongly facilitates productivity levels, without having to sacrifice your health.
- Modeling Healthy Behaviors for Children
As a father, one of your more important roles is modelling the behaviours of your children. Therefore, when you decide to take care of your health and wellbeing, it sends a clear signal to your kids that it’s alright to do something for yourself. This is a behaviour that any parent should encourage.
- Enhancing Emotional Resilience
Parenting, especially when combined with work can be really exhausting. Doing things that help you unwind, such as meditating or taking a walk outside, will enable you to fight off stress and sustain your state of emotional health.
Image source: : Pixabay
Practical Self-Care Recommendations
Incorporating self-care into a busy schedule might seem challenging, but with these practical strategies, it is entirely achievable:
- Establish Clear Boundaries
Setting clear boundaries between work and family time is crucial. Designate specific hours for work, and once those hours are over, focus solely on your family or personal time. This separation will prevent your work from encroaching on your personal life and will allow you to be fully present in whatever you are doing.
- Prioritize Physical Activity
Exercise is a cornerstone of any self-care routine. It keeps you physically fit, energizes you and puts you in a good mood. Whether it’s a morning run, a 15-minute home workout, or a walk after lunch, include as much exercise as you can in your day.
- Practice Mindfulness and Relaxation
Meditation, breathing exercises or other mindfulness practices can work wonders for reducing stress and improving mental clarity. Take a few minutes each day to engage in these practices and you will quickly discover that you are more calm and focused, even during very busy days.
- Maintain Social Connections
When it comes to mental health, social interactions are a key element. When you are working from home and not getting out much, it’s especially important to maintain your relationships with relatives, friends and colleagues. Contact them as often as you can.
- Schedule Some Personal Time
Employment and parenting leave you with little time for yourself, and it can be easy to get carried away and make self-care seem like an unimportant thing. Organise some breaks for activities that you find enjoyable on a personal level, like a hobby, a book or some music. This time is extremely important for reloading your emotional and mental state.Jooble Recommendations on the Importance of Self-Care for Work-from-Home Fathers
