The Coronavirus pandemic has forced most, if not all, organizations to switch their workers to work from home. It was supposed to be a positive situation for employees but now the studies show the outcome has been the opposite.
Some most commonly reported issues that remote workers face are :
1. Isolation
Work from home during the pandemic has forced us to stay inside, but as much as we loved it initially, the camaraderie with our coworkers is a little too hard to communicate over slack.
2. Anxiety
Anxiety caused by working from home can show up in many different forms. The pressure from feeling like you have to hustle 24/7 can get to anyone. Without giving yourself time to disconnect, you put yourself at risk of burnout.
3. Stress
Work from home can blur some boundaries for people who work where they sleep, which results in feeling pressure to work even when they're off. Working from home is a lot of work and requires time management, IT troubleshooting and much more. Switching between these same routine tasks over and over every day will end up stressing anyone out.
4. Depression
Depression tends to occur when people start feeling stuck. Without celebrating milestones with coworkers, it may not feel as if a person is achieving as much as the rest.
Things like anxiety, stress and isolation can also lead to or worsen a persons depression.
Work From Home Effects on Mental Health
Work from home can really challenge your mental health. It can turn an optimistic, productive worker into feeling tired, unmotivated and irritable.
It is important to look after physical health during the Coronavirus pandemic but, it’s also important to keep an eye on how you are feeling.
So before you start to sink like a stone, learn how to spot the signs of declining/bad mental health so that you can begin to plan out your next step.
1. Assess your mental health
If you have begun to notice a change in your mental health now that you are working from home, Or if you feel more stressed despite not having to commute to the office every day, that could mean it's time to assess the state of your mental health.
2. Reach out for help
If anyone feels like they are under too much pressure, they should reach out to teammates or higher-ups. Reaching out could help you make sense of the situation and could help shed some light on the stress you're facing.
3. Get professional help
As taboo as it may seem, going to a professional can help give you a proper diagnosis. It can also help you understand the triggers, treat and improve your mental health.
Handling Mental Health while Working From Home
Here are some tips to help protect your mental health when you are working from home.
1. Set up a routine for your day
Setting up a routine for yourself can help create boundaries between work and home life which can minimise the possibility of work being carried into your free time. Give yourself a start and stop time, just as though you are at work.
2. Create a place to work from home
Working from home interferes with sleep, studies have shown. While working from home, working in your bedroom should be avoided as much as possible as working where you sleep can train your body to think that's where you're supposed to work instead of sleep. It will then become associated with being alert and awake.
3. Stay connected with other people
Staying connected will help to reduce stress and help you feel less isolated, and also stay productive. It also helps to communicate with your manager and keep them informed of what is being worked on.
4. Try to get some fresh air
Going for a walk and getting some fresh air and sunshine can help elevate your mood for the rest of the day. If you are self-isolating, you can go to your garden or your balcony and enjoy the fresh air outside.
5. Continue activities that make you feel relaxed
By continuing activities that you would do at the end of the day, you can unwind after a tough day of working from home. It can help make things feel like they have the smallest sense of normalcy.
By following these tips can help you manage your mental health while handling work from home stress until our world goes back to normal.
