Balancing Act: Prioritizing Mental Health While Working From Home

Take Some Me Time

Mental health is the unsung hero of remote work success and a key player in extending healthspan. While the flexibility and autonomy of remote work offer perks, blurred boundaries and isolation can fuel stress, loneliness and burnout. This negative cocktail wears on overall health, shortening the time one feels vibrant and healthy. Prioritizing mental wellness through proactive measures like setting healthy work hours, building clear boundaries and fostering virtual connections becomes crucial. A day should not be about surving the work day but staying engaged and enjoying a longer, healthier life. A happy mind fuels a healthy body, and in remote work, that translates to a thriving career and a flourishing life.

Staying mentally health at home

There are many benefits to working from home. However, for some remote workers, mental health can suffer. Social isolation and staring at the same 4 walls day after day can take a toll on both physical and mental health. To achieve the best work-life balance, employees need to take frequent breaks, connect with others, and set healthy boundaries.

Take a deep breath

Combat midday fatigue and refocus with a simple power-up: deep breathing. Shift from shallow chest breaths to belly-filling inhales, activating a relaxation response and reducing stress. This quick reset lowers cortisol, increases focus and boosts creativity, all within minutes. A few mindful breaths will revitalize the afternoon to conquer the rest of the workday.

Limited interaction

Without a daily commute, co-workers to chat with, and lunch spots to choose from, the workday can quickly become monotonous for remote workers. Some individuals may find that staying inside all day quickly becomes the norm. Over time, the lack of connection with others can start to negatively affect mental health, leading to higher rates of depression and anxiety. The following tips can help remote workers stay positive and efficient.

Take frequent breaks

Never underestimate the power of rest. Taking frequent breaks throughout the day is essential when working remotely. Log off the computer for a few minutes to grab a coffee and step away from the phone to take an actual lunch break. If possible, get outside to soak up some vitamin D from the sun. A quick walk around the neighborhood can also boost mood. A consistent daily walk has been shown to improve sleep, increase blood flow, and relieve stress.

Make a connection

Office workers have plenty of opportunities to strike up a conversation with a co-worker while waiting for the microwave or riding the elevator into work. While remote workers do not have such opportunities, there are still ways to connect with others. Pick up the phone to ask a colleague for help with a project instead of connecting by email. Once the work chat is over, ask about weekend plans to make a more solid collegial connection. Staying connected with co-workers can improve mood and decrease feelings of social isolation.

Boundaries matter

Set realistic expectations about work hours and log off when the day is over. Keep the computer powered down, and refrain from checking email after hours to decrease anxiety. Workers transitioning to parenting or other responsibilities after a long day of working from home should take a moment to decompress after signing off for the day. Like a daily commute, a few minutes of peace and quiet allows for a quick mental break before returning to personal life.

Enjoy remote work

When people first transition to working from home, the joys of such an arrangement are enough to instill happiness. Over time, however, the monotony of such isolation can lead to mood changes and feelings of depression and anxiety. Remote workers should take frequent breaks, connect with colleagues, and set boundaries to stay mentally healthy. Prioritizing mental health today can lead to a happy and productive work-from-home lifestyle.