Given the world’s recent changes, working remotely from home is becoming the norm. While this is a good thing, it has advantages and disadvantages. People working from home should keep a few things in mind to maintain their mental and emotional wellness.
The first thing to understand is that remote work differs from isolating yourself. It has its benefits. Remote work can be a time-efficient way to work. Consider the positives of working from home. Employees can significantly save time and resources on travel and commuting. It may protect an employee from bullying and office problems, which may be at increased risk with more face-to-face interaction. Working from home can lead to lean and streamlined working, increasing productivity and flexibility. Working from home can reduce stress due to saving time and expenses, having more flexibility, and fewer office politics.
On the downside, we must emphasise that human beings are social beings. It may be more of an effort for an employee to get a social life and may have to spend additional time to socialise. When someone works over a long period at home, the employer may not have the same access to monitor their mental health and pick out any early signs of mental illness such as under performance, neglect of personal self-care, not interacting with colleagues and so forth. Scattered working hours and lack of routine may be a cause of stress. Being unable to be up and about may lead to back pain or physical health issues.
Employees working from home can maintain their mental and emotional wellness by adhering to a routine. Sometimes, we find people working all the time. Do not do that. Set a time for mindfulness, exercise, meals, and socialising. Have a separate space for office work at home, and avoid working on the couch or the bed. Get dressed up just like you would get ready to go to the office. Allocate time to spend with family and friends. Working in time and energy chunks is vital. Assess and log the times of the day when your energy is high. Use that time to work. After every 90 minutes, take a break to walk around or do stretching exercises at your desk.
Pay attention to your social life. You may have to go out of your way to make friends and socialise, as you do not have colleagues to chat within the office. Developing a hobby as a form of relaxation and leisure is helpful for wellness. It must be something you enjoy, giving you a sense of accomplishment. It is essential to be mindful of cyber bullying and know where to access support and help during remote work. If you notice that your sleep or appetite is affected or your mood is dipping, you must have a go-to person. it can be a family member or a friend. Like a dog, having a pet at home can enrich your home working experience.
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