Learn to Manage the Negative Mental Health Effects of Working from Home

If there’s one good thing that has come out of the pandemic, it’s the switch to working from home (WFH). As companies were forced to adopt remote working, many started to see the long term sustainability of this work form.

However, despite the many benefits that remote working holds, it is not without a slew of disadvantages, including negative mental health effects. From isolation to loneliness to work spilling into leisure, to name a few.

No need to worry, though, because while these negative effects do exist, they are not unmanageable. And that’s what we’re going to help you do!

So, here are our top tips to help you manage the negative mental health effects of remote working:

Choose a Workplace

Just because you’re working from home doesn’t mean that your ‘workplace’ should consist of your entire home. It’s important to set boundaries in remote working, and the first is to not let your work invade your house. You can counter this by setting up a dedicated workplace for yourself – whether it’s the dining table, a study desk, or even your backyard – just make sure it doesn’t sprawl!

Build a Schedule

As humans, we tend to procrastinate, which is why it can be hard for us to keep on track of things if we don’t fit them into a schedule. The same goes for your work. If you’re engaging in remote working it doesn’t have to mean a shift of routine.

In fact, stick to one! Wake up, shower, and get dressed – just as you would if you were going to your office. Not only will the schedule help you get work done on time, but the feeling of moving your body around in the morning will get you geared for a brand new work day!

Create a Work-Life Balance

Among the biggest complaints of remote working is that work tends to spill into personal life, causing exhaustion and burnout. To cater to this, it’s important that you create a work-life balance. Remember, just because you’re working from home and communication is virtual doesn’t mean your availability is around the clock.

Keep set times for work, with a good idea being to start and finish your work early. Refrain from accepting late night work calls, and set a cut off period for replying to work emails. Similarly, if you’re dealing with foreign clients, let them know of your timezone and work hours, so that you aren’t bending over backwards to accommodate their schedule.

Stay Connected

Isolation and loneliness are some of the most common factors that weigh down on people who are working remotely. Staying within the four walls of your house and no longer getting to see familiar faces everyday can be a depressing change of events, with negative effects that can make themselves felt.

The best cure for this is to stay connected – virtually! Build work relationships through your screen, turn on your camera for meetings, and get to know people as they go through a situation just like yours. An even better step is to request management to arrange team connectivity sessions. Have a Netflix Party, a game night, or even a quiz contest and soon the whole team will be laughing even if they’re miles apart!

If you are still feeling disconnected when working from home and it is having a negative impact on your mental health, it may be time to consider getting extra support through counselling.

Your workplace may have an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) in place. An EAP is where your employer covers the cost of your counselling appointments up to a certain amount of sessions per year. The benefit to you and your employer is that you remain healthy, supported, fit for work, you are productive and available to do your job well. EAP counselling is confidential, and your employer will not know what is discussed in your sessions. You may also be able to access the EAP counselling through telehealth, which is helpful if you are in isolation or WFH.

Make these tips a part of your work mantra and soon you’ll be as happy as ever as you continue with remote working!