Kristen Shockley
Kristen Shockley, an assistant professor of psychology in the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, was recently quoted in a KABC article about the relationship between the “fake commute” and mental health.
Without a distinct break in the workday, working from home can be stressful. For lots of people, the commute to and from the office helps balance the day. In the era of COVID-19, the “fake commute”—adding transitional ritual in the form of a walk, run or bike ride—has been a way to restore that balance.
Shockley said creating a fake commute is pretty simple. An expert in balancing work and family life, she said scheduling a daily break to help divide portions of the day is a good idea.
“People who segment do have better work-life balances,” she said.
The article details the potential pitfalls of working from home. Whatever activity you choose to segment your day, try to make it a habit.
