Mental health and work are intertwined. With that said, let’s take a look at some of the classic benefits of telecommuting! But there’s not enough money to go around, not enough jobs to go around. To help you foster a more positive mindset, as well as to support your mental health and overall wellbeing, Gosia recommends you try the following: “Try to find a way to mark the end of the working day. 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. Exercise and stay active: This is not only good for your physical health, but also your mental health. The average commute time in the U.S. is almost 27 minutes each way. 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. 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. 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. Others who desire more flexibility and a better work/life balance can more readily achieve it. stigma of mental health in our society, and to shine a light on the positivity and support that 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. 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. One resident of rural Jackson County Kentucky, Jennifer, now works as an online teacher for VIPKID. It’s fair to say there have been a lot of twists and turns since then, and a lot of emotional pressures. Scheduling some activity into your day will benefit your work-from-home experience. provide informative, inspiring and topical stories about mental health and wellbeing. Receive a free When working from home: Get ready for work. Living through the decline of an industry or long-term high unemployment can negatively affect mental health. That’s likely why 77% of those we surveyed said flexible work options would help them be healthier. For example, shut down your laptop rather than leaving it open, switch off your work phone, or close the door to the room where you’ve been working. define who we are we. • Research highlights the benefits of exercise to improving mental, physical and cognitive health. It has unique challenges and benefits under normal circumstances, let alone in times of unique stress such as a pandemic.. 1. First, acknowledge it’s hard. ... Four things you can do to look after your mental health if you're working from home because of COVID-19. Keeping the camera switched off for some meetings can help take the pressure off, and may even allow you to focus more on what is being said, rather than trying to keep up with which pixelated colleague is saying it. Sixteen percent of the people who took the survey self-identified as living with a chronic physical or mental illness, the fifth-largest identity group out of 17 choices. Another 10% identified as caregivers of someone with a physical or mental health issue. By offering flexible work options, companies are signaling to their employees that they can and should devote more time to health and wellness. Working from home can be hard. collectively, to reinforce the benefits of team - in this case the new virtual team. Mental health related absence is the most common cause of long-term sickness absence in UK workplaces. Our aim is to provide The freedom that comes from working from home adds immeasurable value to your mental health. 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. 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 … Fax (703) 684.5968. Those with health conditions that would’ve limited them can work remotely for employers or themselves. 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. Therefore, we are committed to anti-racism in all that we do. Stay home when you are sick. “Commute” to work. 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. Bonnie Evie Gifford is a Senior Writer for Happiful. 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. 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. By Brie Weiler Reynolds, FlexJobs Senior Career Specialist. Get dressed. Many of us work better face-to-face and miss seeing our colleagues in person. copy of Happiful straight to your inbox each month simply by entering your email address below. Start the fightback to a healthier you today. Here are a few suggestions and tips from the team at TMS & Brain Health… Top 10 Advantages of Working from Home. Periodically, get up and move around your home. 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. Schedule your time. Healthier at home. 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. break the stigma of mental health in our society, and to shine a light on the positivity and In early June, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed that 7.4 million of us have reported feelings of loneliness negatively impacting their wellbeing since lockdown began. Web page addresses and email addresses turn into links automatically. When you don’t have an office to show up to, you miss out on opportunities for regular social interaction and … © 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. If you are struggling with feelings of loneliness, isolation, or anxiety, or feel like your work or personal relationships may have been negatively impacted by recent events, it’s important to know that you aren’t alone. 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. Looking after your mental health while working from home. Yes, even in winter. Professionals put a huge amount of time, energy, and focus towards work every day. Our aim is to Read more. That’s according to a 2018 survey of over 3,000 professionals we conducted at FlexJobs. “Poor quality sleep will make you feel more tired, stressed, less energised and more anxious as a result. To find out more about how talking therapy could help, visit Counselling Directory. 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. Print. 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.”. “Relaxation techniques such as meditation and mindfulness can help you become more aware and accepting of your thoughts. Don't underestimate the benefits of simply being outside. Here are some of the most interesting and, perhaps, surprising, ways flexible work can positively affect mental health. 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. 5. If you like our website, then make sure you’re the first to read our digital magazine! 19% of respondents revealed they feel pressured to look good on video meetings. 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. Toll Free (800) 969.6642 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. 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. 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. And 71% said they’d like to work from home in order to reduce commute-related stress. 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. Of those surveyed, 25% said they are finding it difficult to cope with the challenges brought about by loneliness and isolation from colleagues. 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.”. 500 Montgomery Street, How working from home is worsening our mental health. If work/life balance is a real struggle for you, check out the advice offered by Life Coach Directory. Coronavirus: Coping with the challenges of working from home. This isn’t a blanket rule, though. Every Mind Matters and One You can help with expert advice and practical tips. Working from home can also have a significant impact on an employee’s mental health. 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.