2020 is the year of isolation, and with more people staying at home, remote workers are now on the rise. Although working at home can be convenient and give employees more breathing space, the absence of social interaction can be isolating. Isolation and loneliness are becoming a widespread issue among remote workers, disrupting many people’s personal and professional lives.
Social interaction is an essential aspect of people’s lives. Studies have shown that it can help reduce the risks of developing physical and mental health problems. That’s why for most people, the sudden changes in their work environment and lack of coworkers or friends to talk to can take a toll on them, decreasing productivity and motivation.
Although it can be challenging, you can avoid all of these as long as you commit yourself to fight isolation in your personal and professional life. To help you get back on track, here are five ways you can make your work-life at home a little better.
Prioritize Your Well-Being
Isolation can drastically impact your physical and mental health, making you feel anxious, less flexible, and less productive. Workers fight isolation loneliness with teletherapy sessions to keep their mental health intact. Teletherapy is online therapy that gives you access to professional healthcare services at home, promoting better mental health and overall well-being.
Besides taking care of your mental health, it’s a good idea to take advantage of your free time and improve your physical health. You can do this by attending live training sessions or go to a local gym if available. Making these adjustments that make you feel healthier and happier will keep the feeling of isolation at bay.
Communicate
It’s vital for remote workers to continually communicate with their coworkers and managers to not only ensure project milestones are met but also ease feelings of isolation. Many firms across the globe are hosting ‘virtual happy hours’ to keep employees connected. It’s best to attend these virtual events or reserve a couple of minutes per day to catch up with a colleague. Communicating regularly can significantly improve everyone’s mood.
Go Outside
A significant factor contributing to loneliness and isolation from working at home is the monotony routine of spending the whole day indoors. However, this issue has easy fixes, such as taking breaks by going out for a walk, visiting a nearby café once or twice a week for carrying out, or bring your laptop outside and type away in the comfort of your backyard. Bringing work outdoors can improve productivity, focus, creativity while reducing stress and loneliness.
Open Up
Although it can be hard for most people to talk about their feelings or open up to their peers, openly sharing your thoughts about isolation can make you feel less lonely. Being honest helps you reach out to your loved ones, friends, or even strangers in similar situations, allowing you to beat isolation while building relationships.
Take Advantage of Your Schedule
Since you’re working at home, you’re bound to have a more flexible schedule. Take advantage of the opportunity and socialize with peers. You can do this in various ways, such as grabbing breakfast with a neighbor, spending more time with your kids, or walking your dog at the local park.
Although working at home gives you more power to determine schedules or priorities, never underestimate the dangers of isolation and loneliness. While everyone’s specific needs or situations are different, we hope these tips help improve your productivity, health, and happiness for a better work-life at home.