Depending on the person, job, and role, working from home can be a luxury or a nightmare. Some find it easier to adapt to working from home and enjoy it more than commuting to work, while others prefer to be at an office and meet co-workers in person. With the current COVID-19 pandemic, many employees have shifted to working remotely for an indefinite period of time. While we acknowledge that some are fortunate and lucky to be able to work from home and reduce exposure to the virus, this article will briefly focus on how working from home can affect one’s mental health. 

One way that mental health is affected is that working from home, especially for those who live alone, can lead to loneliness or isolation. Although meetings are held online and calls are made, making small talk with co-workers or chatting here and there throughout the day are no longer in place. The disconnect with our co-workers or team members can add onto the loneliness one may already be feeling, especially in times like this when we are limited in our interactions with family and friends. The small and random interactions we have with colleagues could be the ones that keep our day going at work and can even influence creativity, depending on the field. 

Another way working from home influences mental health is through stress and pressure. Working from home can give employers the idea that their employees are available 24/7 and are able to work late at night or on weekends. While it is true that we may be spending more time at home, this does not necessarily mean that employees are able to work more and respond immediately. The line between work and home can blur as the idea of coming home after a long day of work no longer exists, and this can be especially true for those who work in their bedroom. 

Stress can also be induced from the general difficulties of working from home, especially if one’s job requires teamwork and coordination with others. There may be time zones to take into consideration and personal schedules of ourselves and others, making time management more important than ever. Without the need to commute, it can be tempting to sleep in and simply work later into the night. However, it is important to form a schedule and follow it to maintain structure in one’s day, which can reduce stress. 

However, working from home does not only negatively impact mental health. For example, being at home and not under the eyes of a supervisor or manager can mean taking small breaks here and there. While too many breaks can negatively impact productivity, they can allow for one to rest and recharge throughout the day instead of working long hours without a break. Not being around others can also be a benefit to mental health, especially if one’s workplace has a toxic environment or strong office politics. Distractions and interruptions from others can also be reduced and one’s work environment can be quiet, depending on where they are working from.

As mentioned earlier, working from home means no longer needing to commute. Especially for those who have long commutes to work, time has been saved and can be put to use for other activities, whether it is for more work hours, exercise, relaxing, etc. This can lead to reduced stress and pressure as one’s day becomes more free when the commute is no longer part of the picture. Furthermore, some people are night owls while others are early birds, which can influence when one is most productive and creative. If one has flexible work schedules and does not have to follow a 9 to 5 day, working from home can improve not just work, but also satisfaction with one’s job. 

The concept of work-life balance is one that is always talked about and prioritized, but it can be difficult to find this balance. With the recent sharp increase in working remotely, how it has affected our mental health is worth considering. This article has briefly covered some ways mental health has been positively affected by working from home as well as ways it has been negatively affected, although there are many other aspects that have not been covered. We recommend that you reach out to a healthcare professional or your primary care physician if you feel that your mental health has been adversely impacted or any pre-existing mental health conditions have worsened. 

References:

https://weworkremotely.com/how-to-keep-your-mental-health-in-check-when-you-work-from-home

https://builtin.com/remote-work/working-from-home-depression-mental-health

https://mhanational.org/blog/mental-health-benefits-remote-and-flexible-work