Keep the same routine as when heading into the office. Start the fightback to a healthier you today. Even if a person delights in their daily work tasks, the general process Americans go through just to get to and from work every day can take a toll on mental health. The latest insights from Nuffield Health show that, whilst we are recognising many of the benefits of working from home, such as saving time and money thanks to the lack of commute, as well as more time to spend with our families, many feel that this prolonged period of working from home may be taking its toll on our mental wellbeing. support that should be available for everyone, no matter their situation. Working from home can impact on our mental health. To encourage positive mental health, as well as create boundaries between work and home life, Gosia recommends following these five simple tips to help you to better manage your current situation and improve your mental wellbeing while working from home. And 71% said they’d like to work from home in order to reduce commute-related stress. stigma of mental health in our society, and to shine a light on the positivity and support that As a Mental Health America study of 17,000 employees found, employees in unhealthy workplaces are likely to experience higher stress and lower engagement and these feelings actually spread throughout the workplace, negatively affecting workplace culture. Given your experience of working from home to date, what helps Those living in rural or economically struggling areas may miss a key piece of the human experience: engaging in the workforce in a meaningful, long-term way. Mental Health America understands that racism undermines mental health. Therefore, we are committed to anti-racism in all that we do. High rates of depression and anxiety are found in rural areas, especially among older adults who have often had their lives greatly affected by their community’s economic decline. Mental health and work are intertwined. To find out more about how talking therapy could help, visit Counselling Directory. The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly. Toll Free (800) 969.6642 Avoid contact with those who are sick and avoid touching your face, eyes, nose, and mouth. The survey also found that work-life balance and commute-related stress are two of the top factors that make people want a job with flexible options. A further 27% reported difficulty in switching off at the end of the day or working week, whilst 34% believe working from home has placed a strain on relationships with their partners or children. The constant pull that people feel between time spent with family and time spent at work can affect mental health, and flexible work options allow those priorities to co-exist more peacefully. Flexible work options, in particular, have a lot to offer in supporting mental health at work and in life. copy of Happiful straight to your inbox each month simply by entering your email address below. It has unique challenges and benefits under normal circumstances, let alone in times of unique stress such as a pandemic.. 1. Over a third (36%) of those surveyed said that not being in the same space as colleagues has left them feeling unable to take a break or step away from their workstations, with many feeling they must always be ready to respond quickly from their computers. These things take time to get right and will be different for each individual, but without them, the continuous pressure of work can negatively impact our mental health, which in turn can impact not only our relationships but our physical health.”. By offering flexible work options, companies are signaling to their employees that they can and should devote more time to health and wellness. When working from home: Get ready for work. This can include something as simple as a 10-minute walk. This means that we pledge to work against individual racism, interpersonal racism, and institutional racism in all their forms. Hearing someone’s voice can be just as powerful at connecting as seeing them, so if you’re feeling under pressure to maintain your physical appearance on camera, pick up the phone for a chat instead if you can.”. Others who desire more flexibility and a better work/life balance can more readily achieve it. But, by letting your work day blend into your evening, you risk denying yourself quality time to relax, unwind, and reconnect with loved ones - be that with those you live with, or with friends online. For some people, working from home can put their mental health at risk, causing feelings of isolation and disconnection, Hooper noted. Periodically, get up and move around your home. Lines and paragraphs break automatically. If you must check-in after the end of the working day, try assigning a specific short period of time to do so.”. Don't underestimate the benefits of simply being outside. By focusing on what you can do to mitigate this stress, you can enjoy the added benefits of a work-from-home … 500 Montgomery Street, In fact, the impact that work flexibility (things like remote work, flexible hours, and reduced schedules) can have is so great that 97% of people say that having a more flexible job would have a “huge” or “positive” impact on their quality of life. If possible, have a dedicated workspace that minimizes distractions and helps reduce the blurring of lines between your work and home life. people, finding out about the passions that shape their lives, as well as their responses to their While working from home offers a number of potential benefits, including flexibility, a better work-life balance and cutting out the commute, it's important to recognise possible issues and create a mentally healthy environment. Another 10% identified as caregivers of someone with a physical or mental health issue. When you don’t have an office to show up to, you miss out on opportunities for regular social interaction and … Even if a person delights in their daily work tasks, the general process Americans go through just to get to and from work every day can take a toll on mental health. Feeling stressed, anxious, low or struggling to sleep? Fax (703) 684.5968. Many of us work better face-to-face and miss seeing our colleagues in person. directly, so that they may assist you straight away: We’re on a mission to create a healthier, happier, more sustainable society. But according to our survey, people who are interested in flexible work options have even longer commutes: 73% said they have had round-trip commutes of an hour or more. As exercise needs space, it requires you to step away from your computer, so you benefit from both the mental headspace as well the boost endorphins give to both physical and mental energy.”. Working from home can have many benefits. The average commute time in the U.S. is almost 27 minutes each way. If you like our website, then make sure you’re the first to read our digital magazine! Of those surveyed, 25% said they are finding it difficult to cope with the challenges brought about by loneliness and isolation from colleagues. We want to Good mental health has to be the top priority for staff when working from home during the COVID-19 lockdown, explains CartridgeSave MD, Ian Cowley. For people with mental health concerns, caregivers, and professionals at large, flexible work options can help support our efforts to improve the mental health of ourselves and those around us. A further report on Coronavirus and anxiety in Great Britain released by the ONS suggested that whilst overall levels of anxiety have begun to lessen, pressures of homeschooling have lead to a further increase in stress and loneliness. Get happiful magazine delivered straight to your inbox. For example, employees on the autism spectrum or people with mental conditions like OCD, benefit from more time working from home as loud noises, distractions, and … The fact that improved mental health has an overall higher response rate than declined mental health is an interesting insight into the benefits of working from home, especially when considered in combination with the previous responses. If you aren’t sure how to get started, check out these simple mindfulness activities, consider trying your hand at mindful crafting, or find out more about how you can avoid aches and pains with the help of a little stretching, posture tweaks, and regular breaks. When we originally published this toolkit, the first paragraph mentioned being past the peak of infection and looking ahead to coming out of lockdown in the near future. 5. We all have mental health, and whatever our circumstance this outbreak is going to have an impact on how we think and feel about ourselves and the world we live in. 19% of respondents revealed they feel pressured to look good on video meetings. Our aim is to provide While most home workers in our survey clearly enjoy working from home, using words like “free”, “in control” and “calm” to describe how it makes them feel, it also revealed some negative feelings. Scheduling some activity into your day will benefit your work-from-home experience. Having a good bedtime routine will help you to switch off mentally and rest easier, hopefully then waking up with a positive outlook on the day.”. Coronavirus: Coping with the challenges of working from home. According to their findings, an overwhelming 80% of Brits feel that working from home has negatively impacted their mental health. Suite 820 The sudden shift to a remote work setup has been surprisingly stressful for many employees, explains Dr Dominique Steiler, professor of people, organizations, and society at Grenoble School of Business. If you’re struggling to get a restful night’s sleep, try these five simple tips, or find out more about how you can overcome insomnia. break the stigma of mental health in our society, and to shine a light on the positivity and Remote work, in particular, shows huge promise when it comes to bringing people in these situations back into the workforce. If working from home in these uncertain times has left you feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or anxious, take a deep breath — there’s a lot you can do to boost your mood and maintain your mental health. Tell your colleagues when you’re taking a break for lunch, going for a walk around the block or helping out the children.”. But there’s not enough money to go around, not enough jobs to go around. If you have a general enquiry that has not been answered in our FAQs, please do not hesitate to get in touch: If you are experiencing problems with your print subscription, please contact our distributor guidelines. We want to break the But according to our … define who we are we. “Relaxation techniques such as meditation and mindfulness can help you become more aware and accepting of your thoughts. By Brie Weiler Reynolds, FlexJobs Senior Career Specialist. For some, working from home is a great opportunity for their careers and health. With Covid-19 leading to many being furloughed or losing their jobs entirely amidst a health crisis like we have never seen before, we have all had to make changes to our daily routines and lives. By doing this, you can begin to create a mental headspace that will help you to unwind, relax, and prepare for the next day. The results of a new survey by Nuffield Health, the UK’s largest healthcare charity, have revealed that working from home may have significantly impacted out mental health. Working from home has its advantages, but significant disruption and change can take their toll on your mental health. collectively, to reinforce the benefits of team - in this case the new virtual team. Freedom and Autonomy. First, acknowledge it’s hard. Print. Living through the decline of an industry or long-term high unemployment can negatively affect mental health. You can take breaks at any moment, feel no rush to hang up on your family members when they call, and eat lunch at any weird time you want. We all have mental health and some of us will experience mental illness – but that doesn’t Stress related absence in particular has increased, with 37% of respondents to the CIPD and Simply Health Health and Well-being survey saying that stress-related absence had increased in the last year. Would you like to contribute to happiful? Top 10 Advantages of Working from Home. Stay home when you are sick. your mental health when working at home They can help you think about how you can support your own mental health and identify how to stay well and maintain good mental health in work 6 Working from home a Wellness Action Plan. should be available for everyone, no matter their situation. Exercise and stay active: This is not only good for your physical health, but also your mental health. One thing for sure is that in this time of uncertainty an anxiety, workplace mental health, now at home or the office, must be a priority for employers. Read more. Mental health related absence is the most common cause of long-term sickness absence in UK workplaces. © Copyright 2021 Mental Health America, Inc. 2018 survey of over 3,000 professionals we conducted at FlexJobs, High rates of depression and anxiety are found in rural areas, FlexJobs is partnering with economic development organizations in Kentucky, Mental Health America study of 17,000 employees. “Commute” to work. And this isn’t just a benefit for employees--companies also benefit when their workers are healthier! Negative impact on mental health - the switch to working from home may have a negative impact on your worker’s mental health if they are unable to find a routine that works for them, are struggling to separate work and home life or are feeling isolated. One resident of rural Jackson County Kentucky, Jennifer, now works as an online teacher for VIPKID. Web page addresses and email addresses turn into links automatically. Phone (703) 684.7722 When we began working from home, many of us made an extra effort to stay social by arranging team catch-ups and informal chats over video call. Alexandria, VA. 22314 By managing expectations and setting boundaries, you can give yourself peace of mind to take a step back, take a breather, and come back more refreshed and ready to go. That’s likely why 77% of those we surveyed said flexible work options would help them be healthier. Yes, even in winter. Reducing Work-Related Stress. Companies that give employees more control over when, where, and how they work through flexible work options are supporting the health and wellness of their workers and enhancing the company’s culture and productivity at the same time. FlexJobs is partnering with economic development organizations in Kentucky, Colorado, Utah, and other rural areas throughout the country to assist residents in finding remote opportunities and the residents talk about the positive impact they’re already experiencing through remote work. Taking a lunchtime walk, or mixing up your tea break with some simple stretches to ease back pain can help you to feel reinvigorated and mentally prepared. Working from home is hard — a routine makes it easier. Those with health conditions that would’ve limited them can work remotely for employers or themselves. While video calls are still providing a valuable link for many, they could also be creating more stress. It’s fair to say there have been a lot of twists and turns since then, and a lot of emotional pressures. With that said, let’s take a look at some of the classic benefits of telecommuting! Help is available. Every Mind Matters and One You can help with expert advice and practical tips. Finding a work-life balance is also proving to be problematic for many, with nearly a third (30%) finding it difficult to separate their home and work lives. Credit: iStockphoto We have also seen spikes in redundancies, alcohol abuse, and domestic violence calls. Here are some of the most interesting and, perhaps, surprising, ways flexible work can positively affect mental health. The other top factors that make people want a flexible job, in addition to work-life balance and commute stress, were family and time savings. Receive a free It looked pretty gloomy for a while.”, Because of her remote teaching job, Jennifer says, “It’s great to be making a change and to see the light at the end of the tunnel.”. The freedom that comes from working from home adds immeasurable value to your mental health. The latest insights from Nuffield Health show that, whilst we are recognising many of the benefits of working from home, such as saving time and money thanks to the lack of commute, as well as more time to spend with our families, many feel that this prolonged period of working from home may be taking its toll on our mental wellbeing. Shower. It can be tempting to check ‘just one more email’ or to reply to ‘just one more message’ from colleagues in a group chat. “Poor quality sleep will make you feel more tired, stressed, less energised and more anxious as a result. Work can cause and exacerbate mental health issues, but it can also act as a support mechanism. More flexibility and a better work/life balance is a Senior Writer for Happiful visit Counselling Directory are still providing valuable. Miss seeing our colleagues in person Jennifer, now works as an online teacher for VIPKID and more to! 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