Tips for Surviving and Thriving "Working From Home" with Your Spouse
Top 3 Tips for Surviving and Thriving WFH Initiative with Your Spouse
Are you and your spouse both working from home (WFH)?
This has been a big adjustment for my husband and I. Well actually, if I’m being honest, my husband is thriving and I’m surviving. Here are some tips that are helping us to adapt to this new work environment.
1. Shift your thinking from “why can’t I?” to “what could I do instead?”
Yes, it frustrating to have to stay home all the time and not have your normal work space. It is time to pivot! Stop dwelling on the downsides and shift your thinking to what you can do to improve your workspace and ultimately your productivity. This is going to look a little different for everyone. Likely both you and spouse require different office set-ups in order to function. Can you compromise by taking turns using the designated office in your house? Does one of you have a job that can be done comfortably from the kitchen table instead? Does one of you require more structure than the other? What might you be able to do to achieve this structure? Consider noise cancelling headphones, cardboard dividers, alternating schedules.
Work together to problem solve and find common ground. Check in regularly; if something isn’t working, reassess and adapt on the fly. Dig deep, you can do this!
2. Plan “downtime” activities both together and apart
Working from home can easily turn into working all day and all night. Set regular work hours so that you don’t let work bleed into your downtime.
Spending more time in the same space makes it easy to assume that your partner will always be available to hangout with you. However, it is important to communicate about your schedules to prevent tension and disappointment. Choose one activity each day to do apart. Go into separate rooms, or separate corners of your apartment and do an independent activity; call a friend, read a book, listen to a podcast, meditate, or watch a show.
Also, choose one activity a day that is interactive and brings you together. Wake up early and do yoga together,go for a walk together over your lunch break, play cards or a board game after dinner. The moments apart will give you the space you need, and the moment together will deepen your connection.
3. Notice the good and find joy in every day
Lack of alone time, due to living and working in close quarters, can make you irritable and short with those you love the most. Now is not the time to make enemies with the people you are living with! Living and working together in a small space under stressful circumstances can create more opportunities to amplify both negative and positive dynamics. Don’t let your partner’s quirks or irritating habits overshadow the things they do that are loving and helpful! Pay attention to the little things your spouse is doing right! Fondness and appreciation sparks love and affection.
In takes effort to seek out joy in everyday, especially in times of uncertainty. Ask yourself and ask your spouse “what brought you joy today?”. Reflect on the things that you are grateful for each evening and reset for a new day.
It is possible that a heightened sense of stress and anxiety has increased your irritability and worsened your mood. Now is the time the reach out and get the support you need to get back to feeling your best. Book now to take advantage of telemedicine from the comfort of your own home!
What other tips do you have for couples working from home together? I would love to hear your thoughts!
Take care,
Dr. Laura Nicholas, ND
This content is not intended to be substituted or interpreted as medical advice and should not be used to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health concern. Please book a consultation with me or a qualified healthcare professional before acting on any information presented here.