Is Remote Working Really Better for our Mental Health?
Ah, working from home. The shiny, and not so shiny, reality of post-pandemic!
I’ve been working full-time remotely for almost 4 months now, and it certainly has its benefits, but in reality, what are the negatives that we don’t always see?
How is remote working affecting our mental health, both for good and bad?
It’s unbelievably easy to fall into the trap of social media representation. Don’t believe the hype. It doesn’t have to be standing desks and treadmills.
For me, it’s more endless to-do lists to keep yourself on track, and then usually a to-do list about that to-do list. It’s numerous disruptions because the dog is warning off the postie, and don’t even get me started on the tea breaks. Oh. The tea breaks! Yorkshire Tea is making a killing from me.
So, shall we start with the good? Go on then.
I’m very lucky that I work for a company that encourages you to work the hours when you’re at your best, so for me, that’s an early start and an early finish. I can get up early, get the bulk of my most important jobs done first, and then spend the rest of the day on the smaller, less important jobs.
The afternoon slump is real for me, and after 2 pm I’m basically useless to anyone, so that’s when I work on itty bitty admin jobs, tidying up files, replying to emails, you get the picture!
There is a calendar inside my calendar that’s specifically for my eyes only, it’s full of time-blocked sections for things like learning, deadline catch-up, email replying, and setting myself up for the week ahead. And I’ve also added in some little brain breaks along the way. Just 10/15 minutes twice a day to get up and stretch your legs and step away from your screen. Mine consists of walking the dog and spending 10 minutes scribbling in my notebook. Yours might be catching up on a podcast episode, or reading a chapter of your book. It can be anything that reignites your little brain and creates space for more creative things.
Having the ability to work your own hours means you can do what you like, within reason, obviously. Get your work done! I don’t have to take lunch at a set time, so if there’s a Zwift event I want to do that’s in the middle of the day, I am donning the bib shorts and jumping on that. Or if I want to get to the shop before it closes at 5, I’m there at 3. The same goes for if I have an appointment that might take longer than planned, I don’t have to make up the time the next day, I can just switch my laptop on when I get back and work into the night.
But with all the good bits, also come the not-so-good bits.
Not having an office can mean you don’t speak to many people throughout the day, if at all. I’ve gone days where I’ve not said an actual word to anyone. Through a keyboard, or in person. It’s only at the end of the day you realise you’ve only opened your mouth to eat or drink tea in my case!
Loneliness can hit you real hard so pop a little 15 minutes in your cal to check in with someone, just say hello, ask how their days going, and what they’re up to at the weekend. If you saw something that reminded you of them, tell them! It makes such a difference!
Don’t let your work become your life. Not having that disconnect between home and work (as in going to an office) can mean that we get caught up with what’s perhaps expected of us. Say we work late at the office, we’ve got a deadline to hit, we might stay until 6, maybe 7 until the cleaner comes and kicks us out. We don’t all have the luxury of someone telling us to close the laptop and leave when we’re working from the sofa. Know your limits. Don’t let it consume you, there’s always tomorrow.
Make time to leave the house. Go for a walk before you sit down and start work. Go for a walk at lunch. Go for a walk after you’ve finished. Just, please, get some fresh air. I have been guilty of finding myself getting so caught up with things I need to get done, and jobs coming in last minute that I haven’t left the house all week. The brain breaks have gone out the window, the dog has been walked by someone else, and I haven’t been to pick up a prescription, or post a letter that’s sat there since the weekend. It’s so easy to fall into that routine, and so hard to get yourself out.
So what’s the next step?
Recognise when you’re feeling low.
Low in mood.
Low in energy.
Low in motivation.
If any of those come, take yourself away from your screen. Log off for 10,20,30 minutes, however long you need, and breathe. Meditate if that’s your thing. Close your eyes and have a little power nap. Get outside for a walk. If those feelings come, remove yourself from the situation that’s causing it.
Create a commute. Walk around the block. Run around the block. Cycle around the block. Try and create a morning, and evening, routine of a 20-minute commute to your desk.
I used to commute to work by bike and I miss it. I mean, not so the much turning up a bit sweaty, or being absolutely drenched when it’s chucked it down with rain, but my most creative thinking happens when I can just focus on one thing, in that case, making my legs go round and making it up the hill without keeling over. Find your thing.
Stop comparing. Stop comparing yourself. Your setup. Your routine. You’ll find what works for you and your mental health. Go with it.
Remote working is here to stay. There’s no doubt about that. What we have to do now is make it work for us and our mental health.
Books I’d recommend anyone read:
Mental Health at Work — James Routledge
Mental Health and Wellbeing in the Workplace — Gill Hasson and Donna Butler
You are not a Rock — Mark Freeman
Resources for Employers:
Headspace for Work
The Self Space
