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Working from home is not unusual for those who work in Tech Companies, especially in Asia, as they work different shifts. The new reality is that we have all had to work remotely since last year. We are all going through a difficult time due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, which has spread exponentially across the world. As a result, Organizations had to move fast and implement new remote-working models to enable employees to work productively from home. With the transition to remote working in 2020, everybody has now been used to working from home, and most of us don’t ever want to go to the office again. Yes, I agree it’s convenient, but convenience can have its downsides.
Findings of University of Southern California
Humans are a social species that rely on one another to survive. Avoiding interactions with each other and staying indoors for an extended period of time is a challenging task for us. According to a recent report published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine by researchers at the University of Southern California, this can profoundly affect our mental and physical Health. The report concludes that working from home increased work expectations and distractions, decreased our interactions with coworkers, and eventually lessened our productive capacity. More than 64% of the research respondents said they had one or more new physical health issues when working from home, while almost 75% of workers have struggled at work due to mental problems caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Findings of Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH)
Research conducted by Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) in the United Kingdom reveals the following;
- 45% of the respondents believed that working from home was beneficial for their Health and well-being compared to 29% of the respondents who thought it was harmful to their Health and well-being
- Overall, workers who switched to remote working due to Coronavirus Pandemic had suffered various inconveniences that affect their Health and well-being. The research revealed that 67% of the respondents felt less connected to their colleagues, 46% of them had less physical activities than usual, 39% of the research participants developed Musculoskeletal Disorders and disturbed sleep (37%)
- 26% of respondents worked from home from either a couch or a bedroom, and almost half of them (48%) had developed musculoskeletal disorders, and 59% responded that they felt more disconnected from their colleagues.
- Women were more likely than men to feel isolated (Women – 58% / Men – 39%) and experienced musculoskeletal disorders (Women – 44% / Men – 29%) due to remote working.
- Approximately 34% of the respondents said their employer had provided them with mental health assistance.
Simple Tips to Tackle Working from Home
1. Take Short Breaks
Some managers monitor their employees’ online presence to see how they work and how productive they are when they work from home. You don’t have to be available all the time. Being “present” is useless if your mental condition is deteriorating. Take enough breaks to help you manage your stress. Even taking ten-minute breaks every hour can help relieve stress and refresh the mind, hence enhance productivity.
When working from home, you tend to spend a lot of time sedentary and consume snacks between the main meals, increasing your calorie intake. To stay fit, consider doing some simple Yoga and Meditation or even a 10-minute workout at home. This is a must-do activity in the prevention of blood clots.
2. Have A Cup of Tea
Another enjoyable habit is to drink a cup of tea. If you live in the United Kingdom, it is no wonder that you enjoy drinking tea. Researchers have found that Tea consumption reduces levels of the stress hormone cortisol. The ingredients in a cup of tea can boost mood, improve concentration and sometimes even prevent Depression and Dementia.
3. Comfortable, Ergonomic Chair that Supports Your Back
Posture is really important. Poor posture can also affect your physical and mental well-being. Researchers have discovered that sitting in an upright posture can decrease exhaustion and improve positive emotions and feelings in people suffering from mild to moderate depression. Investing in a Decent Office Chair with lower back support would not cost you much. Your Health is more important than anything else. Health is the new wealth, to say the least.
The bottom line is that we should all think about how a healthy posture will improve your physical and mental well-being. Maintaining an upright posture while sitting and walking could make us feel more energetic and optimistic as we manage both our domestic and office responsibilities, particularly as we experience increased levels of stress and discomfort daily.
4. Set up a Dedicated Workspace
There are numerous advantages of having a dedicated workspace at home. When working from home, having a dedicated room/space enables you to concentrate, mentally puts you in a working mood, limits distractions, and allows you to maintain a work/life balance. Create an environment in which you want to work and keep a tidy and well-organized workstation/desk. It may become messy over the course of your workday, but decluttering at the end of the day means that you begin the next workday with a clear mind.
Make sure you follow all the guidelines given by NHS when setting up your workspace.
5. Develop and Stick to a Schedule
When you plan your tasks and priorities, you mentally prepare yourself for what the day will bring. Without a solid plan, you may not achieve the goals set out for the day or week, and the boundaries between work and personal time can become unclear. Once you set the schedule for the day, it is essential to stick to the plan to enjoy its benefits. This helps you avoid all forms of work-related communication during non-work time, allowing you to spend quality time with your family in peace. Make sure that you have breakfast and lunch on time as well.
6. Stay Connected with Coworkers
To combat feelings of loneliness, managers should set aside time to communicate and exchange ideas during the workday. We are fortunate enough to have technology that allows us to communicate with another person at the click of a button. Make frequent use of it to communicate with your colleagues and keep in touch. If you are struggling to cope with the feeling of isolation and loneliness, reach out to your colleagues and managers. They would undoubtedly be able to assist you.
And remember, communication is part of the problem-solving process. Your colleagues may feel the same way as you, which is why it is essential to stay connected with your colleagues.
We have no idea when this pandemic will end. Who knows, We may have to work remotely for years. Everybody is busy with their jobs. Some people believe that money is the key to happiness. It’s pointless to pursue wealth if it adversely affects your Health. Therefore Make your Health and well-being a priority.
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