5 Ways to Stay Sane When Both Spouses Are Working From Home

In the past, you may have longingly thought of all the advantages of working from home.

Now, many weeks into the COVID-19 stay-at-home requirements, many couples are starting to feel the stress of living and working in the same four walls.

If you are in this situation and are starting to experience anger, frustration, or even mild irritation with the other person, there are some effective ways to work from home.

These practical and logical tips for working remotely can help reduce friction despite the two of you being in close quarters.

So, to help reduce strain on the relationship and create a productive working and living environment while self-isolating, here are some working hacks that really work.

1. Develop a workday schedule

A challenge when working from home with others present is to focus on the work at hand. It is easy to get used to talking to each other and possibly interrupting focused work time for each other.

If you develop a work schedule that includes work time, breaks, and start and end of the day, it will help delineate a professional and home component to each day.

During work time, agree to limit interactions and to give the other person the space needed, just as you would do if you were in an office or place of business.

Set boundaries around what is discussed during the work periods and what is reserved for before and after work. While this may seem artificial at first, it helps to eliminate people feeling frustrated with personal conversations when they are trying to work.

2. Create individual workspaces

Everyone works differently. Some people like order and neatness in their workspace, while others want to have everything they need at their fingertips. These types of differences, while minor, can become irritating and a source of conflict.

To eliminate this problem, create different workspaces. If you have the ability, work in different rooms of the house, with physical separation during your work times.

A home office setup is essential when you are on the phone or attending online meetings, and need to have a quiet environment. Setting up a home office can also help you to follow any protocols for online meetings set out by your employer.

If you do not have separate rooms, consider creating a physical barrier to create a personal space. Be creative, even blankets or sheets can form a dividing wall that helps to work without distractions from the other partner.

3. Talk about your needs

Talking to your partner about your specific needs when working from home is essential.

Having this conversation may be difficult, but it helps both people to understand what each other requires to be able to work from home. It also helps to prevent sudden outbursts and conflict.

If the partner is not aware of how their behavior is impacting your ability to work, they are unlikely to realize you need a change.

Unfortunately, it may only be after an angry outburst when you react to the behavior that he or she recognizes the need to change. Talking upfront allows you both to clarify what works best for you.

So, while working from home, consider having a check-in on a regular basis to get feedback and to discuss any additional issues as they arise.

4. Maintain the lines of communication

Many couples are able to be more productive at home, even if there may be times of irritation or frustration with each other. These are the couples that communicate with each other both inside and outside of their workday.

So while working from home, try taking breaks and interacting with each other as you did when you were physically leaving home for work.

This is easier to do when you maintain boundaries and a daily routine for work.

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5. Find something to do alone every day

When both the partners are working from home, too much together time is a cause of irritation and possible conflict.

Find something you enjoy and do it on your own.

Listen to music with your headphones on, go for a walk outside, play with the dog, take an online yoga class, or spend some time talking to friends and family.

The more you focus on creating the working and living space you both need, the easier it is to remain sane in these challenging times.