Working remotely is becoming more and more popular both in the United States and across the world. Most jobs can be done from behind a computer screen anywhere in the world. With this mass of people working remotely comes new issues. Nearly half of remote workers polled said they experience loneliness on a daily basis due to working remotely. While there certainly are positives to working remotely, there are negatives too that we cannot ignore. The following mental health tips will make working remotely more manageable and even enjoyable.
Socialize, Socialize, Socialize!
When remote workers complain of feeling lonely, the first thing people suggest is for them to socialize. This is the natural solution for feeling lonely. The trick is to socialize with people from outside of their small circles. It’s important to socialize with people who don’t do the same work as you do. This provides opportunities to discuss topics and issues unrelated to work. Forbes explains that when you only socialize with those inside of your work circle, the same woes and deal with the same anxieties, you can find yourself trapped into a feedback loop of pressure and stress, aggravated by the experience of your peers.
Invest Money in Yourself and Your Self Care
When you are working from home fulltime, you want to work from the best possible environment in your home. Therefore, you must be willing to put some money into self-care items and luxuries as well as home office items. Is your desk chair uncomfortable? Splurge on a well-made, comfortable desk chair. You will be spending at least forty hours a week there, so it’s a great place to put a little extra cash. In addition to items for your home office, you should plan to put money into self-care items like a massage or private work out session at the gym. These things will make you feel better about yourself and that will come through in your work.
Working remotely 100 percent of the time sounds like the dream job to most people. However, it comes with its own set of challenges. Many remote workers report feeling lonely throughout the day. In order to capitalize on the perks of working remotely and negate the negatives, you need to take action steps. First, be sure to socialize as much as possible, and with people from outside of your industry. Secondly, plan to invest money into your self-care. This may feel like a luxury but when working remotely, you need to look and feel your best! Follow these tips and you will enjoy working remotely even more so than you already do.