Regardless of whether you’ve been situated in your home office well before COVID-19 limitations came upon us or you’re pristine to working out of your home, its a well-known fact that there are specific mental health challenges that can emerge at the same time. Have you noticed a change in your mental health now that you work from home?
Do you feel increasingly worried in spite of not having a drive out or to work? Is it accurate to say that you are battling feelings of isolation even though you can clock in wherever you want?
Work from home jobs can challenge your psychological well-being. It can turn typically idealistic, beneficial working drones into drained, unmotivated, crabby tods.
Why is it challenging because you’re at home all day? If you don’t live with anyone else, this can mean you’re isolated, and perhaps with little additional stimuli to keep you motivated.
On the other hand, if you do live with a partner or family, it can be even more challenging to set firm boundaries, focus with children in the house, a list of chores to accomplish, and the feeling that you might just want to hang out on the couch for a few more hours.
Whether this is a temporary or permanent shift is yet to be seen (though remote work is undoubtedly going to become even more popular as the years go on) it’s important to learn how to stay mentally healthy while getting your job done.
So before you hit rock bottom, learn how to spot the signs of declining mental health so you can address your next steps.
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Recognize The Impact
Working from home can be surprisingly challenging. One should be get ready to be amazed at how troublesome this transition is. You could go through days not conversing with anybody when you don’t need to go anyplace to work.
Although you bypass distracting coworkers, you do miss the social aspect of chatting and venting about work and life when you’re remote.
At your house, you are loaded up with distractions you essentially don’t experience at work, particularly if you have others living, working, or trying to complete school work.
As a result, it’s essential to be as patient as possible. This is not the time to expect perfection. You need to give yourself some time to adjust to the new normal, figure out your schedule and how to work effectively from home, as well as what habits and tips work for you.
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Anxiety, Stress and Mental Pressure
Working from home anxiety takes on many forms, including:
Strain to hustle every minute of every day. Have to find work and then create it? You probably squeeze in work whenever you can. But without time to disconnect and unplug, you risk burning out.
The boundary between work and home life blurs for people who work in the same place they sleep. You may feel pressure to be on when you should be off.
Stress from wearing multiple hats. Working from home requires time management, invoicing skills, marketing, IT troubleshooting, customer service, and much more. Switching between these hats multiple times a day will wear out anyone.
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It Can Be Depressing!
Work from home depression can happen when you feel stuck. Without career milestones like a new nameplate on your desk or a fancy corner office, you may not feel as if you’re achieving as much as your peers.
The anxiety, stress, and loneliness of working from home can lead to depression or make it worse.
The good news is your mental health doesn’t have to suffer when you work from home. Here is how you can take care of your mental health while working from home:
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Get A Routine And Stick To It
Having a routine is very important, and it’s even more important when a basic routine is missing.
When we say sticking to a routine, it does not mean that you have to abide by the old standard 9-5 office hours, and only take downtime in the evening.
It simply means that you have a system for waking up on time, getting ready, feeling confident and getting your work done in a timely manner. When you do this regularly enough, it will feel more natural over time, and you won’t have to think about it so much.
This doesn’t mean that you can’t take gaps of time to do things that are decidedly non-work related, it just means that you’re ensuring your most important tasks of the day are always getting done — and you’re keeping up with yourself in the process.
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Stay Connected
The isolation factor may be difficult for people who are working alone. Remember to keep up with friends and family, even if that can only be done through a Zoom or FaceTime call. Text someone you care about, and when restrictions are lifted in your area, try to make plans as regularly as you feel comfortable.
Connection is key, and it can be challenging when you don’t leave your home for long stretches of time.
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Move A Little
Fight the urge to stay sedentary and schedule active time to get your heart pumping. Go for a walk or bike ride, stretch or do yoga, practice a hip-hop dance video on YouTube — whatever floats your boat.
Exercising 20 to 30 minutes daily can significantly lower anxiety levels. You’ll also boost endorphins and serotonin to flood your brain with happiness. Plus, working out distracts your noggin from work problems so you can actually take a break.
Working from home has its advantages, but significant disruption and change can take their toll on your mental health. Be mindful of changes in your mood or behavior and ask others in your life to do the same if you’re concerned. Follow these tips and you’ll protect your mental health from the loneliness, anxiety, and depression many remote workers have a hard time dealing with. Reach out to someone you trust, speak to your doctor, or find a mental health professional if you’re struggling with depression or anxiety. You’re not alone. And remember, tomorrow is always a fresh start.
