Remote work had always had its challenges even before the COVID-19 pandemic occurred. For many, their home was a place to relax and unwind from a stressful day of commuting to work, having work come in left and right, and so many other draining events. However, now that many companies are shifting into remote work, it is starting to become a norm—posing many issues to people who are still not fully prepared for it.
If you are a remote worker, you are probably faced with a multitude of challenges each day. While it initially seems like a dream come true—allowing you to be paid while in the comforts of your own home—the glamour slowly fades, and reality ensues. Stress management can be difficult, mainly because of the different factors that come from being away from a physical office.
Today, we will be discussing things that affect remote workers when it comes to managing their stress and emotions based on the nature of work. Here are common problems that are causes of stress amongst those working from home:
Lack Of Social Interaction
When in a physical office, you have people you greet good morning upon entering the office and those water cooler chats you have during your breaks. When working from home, you may go days or even weeks on end without seeing another person.
This may lead to feelings of isolation, loneliness, and can develop feelings of depression. Without strong emotional support, work output can often be of lower quality, especially with employees feeling alone.
Longer Working Hours
Because you work from home, it is easy to muddle the distinction between personal and work life. One of the results is that often you might be working even longer hours without even realizing it.
Depending on your team’s time zones, your sleep and waking hours can become out of sync, and you may overwork yourself without realizing, causing burnouts.
Imbalanced Work-Life Situation
The office and home do merge, and it becomes more and more challenging to separate them from each other. The implication is a blurred line between work and play, and those confused boundaries can be detrimental to once mental health.
How To Make Remote Work Better For You
When it comes to remote work, there are strategies you can use to maintain your sanity while confined to your home’s comforts. Here are a few to get you started:
Have A Routine Or A Daily Structure
Following a routine can make it easier to deal with daily stress. Setting these boundaries will ensure a healthier work environment.
As such, try setting a daily wake-up time, logging how long you plan to work and when to take breaks, and separate some time for fun or leisure. Make sure to stick to this routine as strictly as possible for the best stress management experience.
Work Away From Your Bedroom, Or In Another Space
Having a zone where you can work for a few hours can make it feel like you are at the office. If possible, avoid working in your bedroom or TV room, as your brain associates them with leisure time, the temptation is great to distract you from your work. Working from your breakfast nook or a dining table can change your work quality and productiveness, as it limits your association with leisure time.
Design The Workspace Better
Create a space that looks clean and aesthetic, will make you more driven to work. Less clutter causes less stress on the mind, which is important when confined to space for hours.
Conclusion
Working from home can be a dream, but it can also be a nightmare. Without any boundaries set to separate work and play, this can cause your mental health to deteriorate. Be sure to take care of yourself by interacting with other people, setting a daily structure, and having fun at the right times.
Therapy24x7 are therapists in Brooklyn, New York, who specialize in both online and in-office therapy. Our goal is to provide our clients with the support they need by offering coping strategies unique to each individual and results-based therapy to solve daily issues. Get in touch with us today and let us take care of your mental health.