How to Look After Your Mental Health While Working Remotely

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The number of people working from home has skyrocketed in recent years. For many of us, this is still a strange and new experience. Whilst there are undoubtedly benefits to home working, such as spending less time and money commuting, being more productive, and potentially experiencing less stress, there are also issues to be faced if you don’t take certain wellbeing precautions. 

As social creatures, people often find that working in solitude for prolonged periods of time can have a negative impact on their mental health. Problems such as loneliness, depression, anxiety, and burnout are common complaints of remote workers. Here’s how you can safeguard your mental health while working from home.

Stay in touch with loved ones

Many home workers spend most of their time in isolation. People need regular social interaction to maintain a good state of wellbeing, so when feelings of loneliness creep in, we can find ourselves disconnected, unmotivated and struggling. Naturally, there is a reduction in the level of contact between colleagues and superiors when working remotely, which can trigger a drop in productivity and confidence. 

To combat this, try to schedule a meet-up with a friend over lunch, or invite some family members over for dinner once a week. Although it takes some conscious effort to put work aside and focus on your social life, doing so is sure to give your wellbeing a welcome boost. Even if you have a to-do list a mile long, you do deserve a break to maintain the relationships that are most important to you.

In-person meet-ups may not be an option for every remote worker, particularly if you’re working abroad or following a digital nomad lifestyle. It’s important to make your social life work for you, and to stay connected in a way that doesn’t feel forced or strained. If you’re able to, a good alternative is to plan regular phone calls or video calls with loved ones, or, if you’re able, to attend local meet-up groups for expats working abroad.

Set boundaries

Even if you have a strong work ethic and are keen to prove yourself as hard-working and attentive, spending too much time plugged in is a recipe for burnout. To stay productive and efficient, you’ll need to look after yourself so you can continue being a high-performing team member.

If work life begins to bleed into home life, it can be hard to prioritise and juggle work and family commitments. It’s important to draw a firm line between ‘work time’ and ‘home time’ as much as possible. Establishing a work routine and structure to your working day can help do this. 

Set yourself a regular start and finish time for your work tasks, and stick to it. Be sure to include regular breaks away from your desk and a decent lunch break. Leave the laundry until after work, and don’t log back in when you’re supposed to be relaxing in the evening. 

You may also find it beneficial to dress in your usual work clothes, and then get changed when you finish each day. Such methods help reinforce the distinction between work and home life, which is important when both are taking place under the same roof.

Take some “me time”

Spending a period of time each day away from your screens, to reconnect with friends, have some ‘me time’ or pursue your favourite hobbies and non-work interests, is essential for nurturing your mental health. Taking a walk outside each day in the fresh air and looking after yourself physically by exercising is an excellent way to relieve stress.

Making an effort to put yourself first for at least some of the day, every day, is the best way to safeguard your mental health and wellbeing. In return, you’ll feel less stressed, happier and also be more productive and efficient at work.