10 Slack Tips for Remote Work-Life Balance
Discover 10 essential Slack tips to enhance your remote work-life balance and boost productivity, while maintaining team connections.
Struggling to unplug from work when using Slack? You're not alone. Here are 10 practical tips to help you use Slack effectively for remote work while maintaining a healthy work-life balance:
- Set up smart notifications
- Use Do Not Disturb mode
- Create non-work channels
- Update your status regularly
- Handle time zone differences
- Utilize Slack's productivity tools
- Add work-life balance apps
- Establish clear communication rules
- Set up a casual chat channel
- Take regular breaks from Slack
Quick Comparison:
Tip | Purpose | Key Benefit |
---|---|---|
Smart notifications | Control info flow | Reduce distractions |
Do Not Disturb | Protect focus time | Uninterrupted work |
Non-work channels | Build team bonds | Improve morale |
Status updates | Show availability | Set expectations |
Time zone handling | Respect global teams | Smoother collaboration |
Productivity tools | Streamline work | Increase efficiency |
Work-life balance apps | Promote healthy habits | Boost wellbeing |
Communication rules | Cut down on interruptions | Clearer expectations |
Casual chat channels | Build team rapport | Stronger relationships |
Regular Slack breaks | Avoid burnout | Better mental health |
By implementing these strategies, you'll transform Slack from a potential source of stress into a tool that enhances your remote work experience and supports a healthier work-life balance.
Related video from YouTube
Set Up Slack Notifications
Taming Slack notifications is crucial for work-life balance. Let's make Slack work for you, not against you.
Here's how to set up your notifications:
- Click your profile picture in the sidebar
- Select Preferences, then Notifications
- Under Notify me about, choose your triggers
Pick "Direct messages, mentions & keywords" as a starting point. You'll catch important stuff without constant pings.
Pro tip: Set up keyword notifications for terms like "urgent" or project names. You'll stay in the loop without the noise.
Take control with a notification schedule:
- In Preferences > Notifications, find Notification schedule
- Pick Every day, Weekdays, or Custom
- Set your start and end times
This is a game-changer for remote workers. Work 9-5? Set your schedule to match. Slack will pause notifications outside these hours, helping you unplug.
Don't forget: You can mute non-crucial channels. Right-click, hit Change notifications, and pick your preference.
2. Use Do Not Disturb
Slack's Do Not Disturb (DND) feature is a lifesaver for remote workers. It pauses notifications, giving you uninterrupted focus time.
Here's how to use DND like a pro:
- Click your profile picture and select "Pause notifications"
- Use
/dnd
in chat (e.g.,/dnd for 1 hour
) - Set up a regular DND schedule in Preferences > Notifications
- Use "Until Next Week" on Fridays for weekend peace
- Don't worry - urgent messages can still get through
Paul Rosania, Slack's Senior Product Manager, says:
"We've heard about anxiety over contacting people outside work hours. DND addresses that."
Pro tip: Always update your status when using DND. Be consistent to set clear expectations with your team.
3. Make Channels for Non-Work Topics
Want to boost team spirit in your remote workspace? Create Slack channels for non-work chats. It's like having a virtual water cooler where people can bond over shared interests.
Here's a quick list of popular non-work channels:
- #furry-friends: Pet pics galore
- #weekend-plans: Share your adventures
- #foodie-fiesta: Recipes and virtual potlucks
- #bookworm-buddies: Start a book club
- #fitness-freaks: Workout tips and motivation
To make these channels work:
1. Give each channel a clear purpose
2. Let employees create channels they're passionate about
3. Keep work talk in work channels
4. Get management involved to keep things lively
"Our #random channel has been a game-changer for team culture", says Sarah Chen from RemoteFirst Inc. "We've seen a 27% jump in employee engagement since we started these non-work channels."
4. Update Your Status
Slack status updates are your digital "Do Not Disturb" sign. Here's how to use them effectively:
- Be specific: "Deep work until 2 PM" beats "Away"
- Use emojis: 📞 for calls, 🏖️ for vacation
- Sync with your calendar
- Set clear expectations
- Respect others' statuses
Slack offers default statuses, but you can create custom ones up to 100 characters.
"I never wanted to add the green dot. I think the green dot is very harmful." - Ali Rayl, SVP of Product at Slack
This highlights why explicit status updates trump the "active" indicator.
Updating your status helps your team work better. It cuts down on interruptions and boosts productivity in remote work.
Pro tip: Use Reclaim.ai to sync your Slack status with your Google calendar automatically.
5. Handle Time Zone Differences
Global teams make work-life balance tricky. Here's how Slack can help:
Set your time zone
On desktop: Profile picture > Preferences > Language & Region > Time zone On mobile: "You" > Preferences > Advanced > "Set Time Zone Automatically"
This shows your team when you're available.
Use scheduled messages
Send messages when it's good for others. No off-hours pings.
Create region-specific channels
Make channels for different locations. Better local communication.
Use custom profiles
Add office locations to profiles. Quick view of everyone's base.
Set core hours
Pick times when everyone's available. Ensures overlap for key talks.
Here's a sample of global team availability:
City | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
San Francisco | X | X | X | X | ||||
New York | X | X | X | X | ||||
London | X | X | X | X | X | |||
Singapore | X | X | X | X | X |
Rotate meeting times
Change schedules regularly. Fair for all time zones.
Use async communication
Use project tools and recorded updates. Fewer real-time meetings needed.
"Be clear about why you can't work 24/7 across all timezones. Teammates will get it. Just offer alternatives." - Nataly Kelly, HubSpot's VP of Localization
Empower your employees with our suite of apps designed for Slack, enhancing engagement and communication. Choose only the tools you need for a thriving team environment.
>>> GET STARTED NOW <<<
6. Use Slack's Productivity Tools
Slack's got some nifty built-in tools to help you work smarter. Let's check out reminders and pinned messages.
Smart Reminders
Forget about constantly checking your to-do list. Use Slack's reminder feature:
- Daily:
/remind me to check project updates at 9am every weekday
- Weekly:
/remind #team-channel to submit timesheets every Friday at 4pm
- Monthly:
/remind me to review monthly goals on the 1st of every month at 10am
Want to level up? Hook up the Google Calendar app to Slack. It'll send you meeting reminders and update your status when you're on a call.
Pinning Messages
Need to keep important stuff front and center? Pin it:
- Hover over the message
- Click the three dots
- Hit "Pin to channel" or "Pin to conversation"
Perfect for project guidelines, key links, urgent updates, or meeting schedules.
Pinning Tips |
---|
Don't go overboard - keep it tidy |
Give your pins a regular once-over |
Organize pins by topic |
"Pinning messages in Slack keeps important information at the top of your channel, increasing visibility and ease of access." - Slack Documentation
7. Add Work-Life Balance Apps
Slack's app store has tools to help you balance work and life. Here are some good ones:
Employee Wellness: Create team wellness challenges. It syncs with health apps to track steps. You can set up leaderboards to keep everyone motivated.
Count It: Run team fitness challenges. It connects with tracking apps and shows live updates in Slack.
Health Hero: Log meals, exercise, and mindfulness. Track your progress over time.
Gratitudely: A team gratitude journal. It helps boost mood and cut stress.
Sunsama: A daily planner that pulls tasks from other tools. You can turn Slack messages into tasks.
"Sunsama has had the biggest impact on my life and productivity." - Paul Galatis, CEO, Names & Faces
Here's a quick look at these apps:
App | Main Feature | Best For |
---|---|---|
Employee Wellness | Wellness challenges | Team engagement |
Count It | Fitness tracking | Motivation |
Health Hero | Health logging | Personal wellness |
Gratitudely | Gratitude journal | Team morale |
Sunsama | Daily planning | Task management |
These apps can help you and your team stay healthy and productive. Pick the ones that fit your needs best.
8. Set Clear Communication Rules
Want to keep your remote team from burning out? Set up clear Slack rules. Here's how:
- Be direct: Get to the point fast.
- Use public channels: Keep everyone in the loop.
- Set response times: Agree on reply speeds.
Here's a quick guide:
Message Type | Response Time |
---|---|
Regular | 4 hours |
Urgent | 1 hour |
Emergency | ASAP (@channel) |
- Use threads: Keep conversations tidy.
- Use emoji reactions: Cut down on replies.
- Respect off-hours: Schedule messages for work time.
- Update your status: Let others know when you're busy.
Max Brawer, remote work expert, says:
"Work is hard. Life is hard. Work at a startup is hard. Everyone has their own work problems and life problems. Empathy and compassion will raise every single possible outcome of life on Slack."
9. Set Up a Casual Chat Channel
Want to keep your remote team connected? Create a casual Slack channel. Here's why it works:
- It's like a virtual water cooler
- Team members bond over non-work stuff
- Builds community in remote setups
Try these channel ideas:
Channel Name | Purpose |
---|---|
#furry-friends | Pet pics and videos |
#random | Memes, jokes, cool articles |
#weekend-plans | Share adventures |
Eden Seiferheld from PhotoShelter says:
"Public channels in your Slack community are the most important thing when it comes to having open communication in your workspace."
Make your casual chat channel work:
1. Get everyone involved
2. Keep it work-friendly
3. Use ice-breakers to spark chats
FireFly Team Events suggests:
"We instituted the random Watercooler Chats. These are a 10 minute video call hangout. The rules are: 1. Attendance is Optional 2. No work talk allowed until after the official end time. 3. Whoever scheduled is responsible for choosing the next host before the call ends."
10. Take Regular Breaks from Slack
Always being connected can wear you down. Taking Slack breaks is crucial for your mental health and work-life balance. Here's why it matters and how to do it:
Why take Slack breaks?
- Avoid burnout
- Cut down on notification stress
- Focus better on tasks
- Feel better overall
How to take Slack breaks:
1. Set "offline" times
Pick times when you're not on Slack. Let your team know.
2. Use "Do Not Disturb"
Turn on DND when you need to focus or after work.
3. Try a digital detox
Devi Sahny, Founder/CEO of Ascend Now, says:
"Letting go can be beautiful. Tech brings great things, but life's best moments often happen offline."
Even a 3-day break from tech can make a big difference.
4. Make team rules
Set clear Slack guidelines. 75% of team members would try quitting Slack again if rules were clearer.
5. Use auto-reminders
Set up a Slack app for break reminders:
Time | Reminder |
---|---|
11:00 AM | "Stretch time! 5 minutes off Slack." |
1:00 PM | "Lunch break! Log off and eat." |
3:30 PM | "Tea time. 10-minute Slack break." |
Conclusion
Remote work is here to stay. 75% of knowledge workers can now work from home. But this shift comes with its own set of challenges, especially when it comes to work-life balance.
Slack is great for team communication, but it can make it hard to switch off from work. We've covered 10 ways to use Slack better for remote work-life balance.
Here's a quick look at the key strategies:
Strategy | Purpose |
---|---|
Set up notifications | Control info flow |
Use Do Not Disturb | Protect focus time |
Create non-work channels | Build team bonds |
Update your status | Show availability |
Handle time zones | Respect global teams |
Use productivity tools | Streamline work |
Add work-life balance apps | Promote healthy habits |
Set clear communication rules | Cut down on interruptions |
Create casual chat channels | Build team rapport |
Take regular Slack breaks | Avoid burnout |
The goal? Use Slack to boost your work-life balance, not mess it up. As Remy Champion from Okta says:
"Personal relationships and trust lead to better team collaboration and results."
By using these tips, you can create a better remote work setup. Oyster, for example, improved their Slack use as they grew, tackling issues like too many messages and distractions.
FAQs
How to use Slack for remote work?
Slack can be your digital office. Here's how:
- Create channels with clear names (like #project-updates)
- Pin important files and messages
- Use emoji reactions to engage
- Bring in external partners and tools
Pro tip: Make a channel for each project. #acme-virtual-event-2020 keeps everything in one place.
How to use Slack most efficiently?
Make Slack work for you:
Tip | Why it matters |
---|---|
Public channels | Keep everyone in the loop |
Threads | Less clutter, more focus |
Smart notifications | Don't miss the important stuff |
Status updates | Show what you're up to |
Slackbot reminders | Stay on top of tasks |
How to use Slack for remote teams?
Slack brings your remote team together:
- It's your central hub for communication
- It creates a "virtual office" feel
- It makes sharing info quick and easy
Key move: Use channels like office spaces. #announcements for big news, #water-cooler for casual chats.
"Slack has changed how we work together in the modern workplace." - Tom Koh, CEO of MediaOne