The benefits of working remotely - from the ability to have a flexible schedule to not having to spend time on commuting – are attracting more people to work from home. However, there are downsides too, with mental well-being topping the list.
In a survey of more than 3,500 remote workers for its State of Remote Work 2020 report, Buffer found that the biggest struggles that remote workers face are loneliness (20%), not being unable to unplug (18%) and staying motivated (7%). So if you are currently working from home or considering it as an option, read on to see how you can mitigate these risks and not let this work arrangement take a toll on your mental state.
To tackle the potential mental health risks, here are 5 things that you can do to boost mental wellness.
Many people are unable to pull themselves away from work while working from home as their computers and office supplies are too conveniently accessible.
To aid with the unplugging, you can:
With the flexibility of working from home, you will have more time to gain new knowledge and experiences. It is a good opportunity to do something that you have always wanted but not yet had a chance to.
These are some skills and hobbies that you may want to pick up:
Constantly being in a state of stress damages your mental and physical health. Relaxation can relieve stress and anxiety and, in return, lead to better concentration, memory and positivity.
Take some time off to do the following:
Get your body moving to release endorphins which will activate positive feelings and boost your energy levels.
Not sure how to get started? Check out our step-by-step workout programme and equipment-free workouts below:
Good relationships with family members help to improve belongingness and a sense of security, build confidence and communication skills while decreasing the feeling of loneliness.
Here are some enjoyable activities that are great for bonding with your loved ones:
The list of things you can do to improve mental well-being can be surprisingly simple but they can make a vast difference in improving your mental well-being. So have a think and come up with your own list whether you are working from home or not, and you might find yourself picking up new skills, improving relationships with others and becoming more positive and happier.
