Keeping the balance in the unbalanced world

Locked inside our houses, life has indeed changed a lot since the starting of this year. Most enterprises are moving to an online business model leaving us with a laptop in our hand, stuck in a corner of the room all day long.
As the physical boundaries between work and home slowly wither away, one wonder, what about our work-life balance? How are we supposed to separate the two when we are clicking on the kitchen table, also cooking for the young ones?
The HR department is befuddled at the situation, working tirelessly to find practical solutions to the problems.
Socially distant, yet hyperconnected
With most people inside and businesses, online one would expect more of a work-life balance, but data shows otherwise. The Covid-19 is taking a serious toll on workers' health, mental and physical. More than 70% of the workers in the US cite this as the most stressful time of their careers. Some went on to say it is more stressful than major events like 9/11 or the great depression.
While looking for answers, we see connectivity online is at an all-time high. This is obviously helping the businesses circumvent, adapt to the new and changing models of the ways they conduct business, and also their product lineup.
But, now, meetings can be scheduled at ungodly hours of the day and night, without prior planning and one need to react swiftly to the changing markets. HR personnel are trying to fix it but they are also limited by the rapidly changing market trends.
Let's talk about a few ways of keeping the balance until the companies figure something out.
Plan ahead
Do not just try to get a new routine. Try to be organized in your tasks and that will make your week much easier. Make use of the technology at hand. If you are a couple and working online, sync your calendars, and plan household chores accordingly. For those unplanned meetings ask your partner to help you out or keep some extra time which you can make up later.
Follow a fixed routine
A routine is important so that you can draw the lines between personal and professional. Your routine may not be the normal office hours, one just needs it, so that you are not going in and out of work 24*7.
Get out of your house
The most important of the lot is that you go out. Not somewhere crowded but take a walk, alone or with your dog. Grab some fresh air. A small jog could also boost your morals. Get to play mode at least once a day.
Go Offgrid
After you log off from the day's work, don't log back in. make the rules standard. Keep your work laptop locked up in the closet. Remember the saying, “out of sight is out of mind.”
You can make the evening tea as your natural cutoff point. Post your evening tea no more work.
You can set a goal to call your loved ones in the evening. This is like a deadline, you will have to finish all your pending work before that.
Talk to your partner or loved ones about the day and know about them. A good conversation sets the mood just right.
Prioritize Health
Staying at home doesn't just hamper you mentally but also physically. Install online apps to keep you active and running. A good physical state will give you the cheer to go the extra mile that is required of you.
IT & HR might collaborate
The two departments are collaborating in many companies to give the best benefits to the new age digital employees. Research says 86% of the professionals believe that collaboration is the need of the hour. With the right combination, the employees will have more to work with which will in turn have a positive effect on the balance of work and life.
Conclusion
Things are uncertain in these uncertain times. Do not try to be a superwoman/man and hide when you are unable to cope up with the stress. Talk to the HR department or seek professional help. Or you might follow the steps and see where it leads you. Work-life balance is a tricky thing, there might be mishaps at the beginning but things will fall in place and you will find your way.