How to Maintain Your Mental Health While Working from Home

Many of us have discovered over the last few months that working from home isn’t as easy as it sounds or as fun as we had thought. 

For many years, remote working has been highly desired and on the list of ‘most wanted’ employee benefits. In a 2019 Buffer survey,  99% of respondents said they would like to work remotely at least part of the time for the rest of their careers, and 67% of respondents of another survey said they would leave their jobs if their workplace became less flexible.

This wish has now become a reality for many with a huge number of employees who can work from home being asked to work remotely due to the the current climate.

There are other things to consider when you find yourself in this position such as finding the best place to work and sourcing the tools and equipment you will need.  You also need to think about how to manage your day when there are family members, partners children, or roommates who have their own work or studying to do or indeed nothing to occupy their time

These new demands can take a toll on your mental health in many different ways. 

Here’s some steps you can take to help you and those around you.

ACKNOWLEDGE THE IMPACT

Working from home can be more challenging than you thought and it can take you by surprise how difficult and different this can be. Your house is filled with distractions you wouldn’t think of and you wouldn’t normally encounter during your working day.

Try to be patient. Change takes time and you shouldn’t expect things to be perfect straight away or all the time. Go easy on yourself, figure out a schedule that works for you and those around you.

CREATE A ROUTINE

While there are many factors that are beyond your personal control, you can add some control and familiarity into your day by sticking to a schedule. 9-5 may not be the answer for you anymore with others to care for but once you have a system that works for you it’s a good idea to stick to it and make that your routine.

It’s good to still get up at a reasonable time, get dressed, and work in a fixed space but do remember to take breaks and and don’t feel you have to overcompensate for not being in the office by working crazy hours.

RECOGNISE YOUR NEEDS

Some of us crave the social interaction we get from our workplace and colleagues so working from home without this can be difficult. If you’re feeling isolated or lonely, try group chats, video conferences and frequent phone calls to colleagues to get the connection you need. 

It can help to bounce work ideas and suggestion of the people that know your role and business.

This can also work the other way. If you are someone who needs time alone to think or recharge and you live in a busy house, find a way to get that quiet time, go for walks, take some time in a bedroom or find some noise cancelling headphones.

KEEP UP YOUR GOOD PRACTICES

Remembering to look after yourself as well as others and work priorities is important too.

Try to eat healthily, stay hydrated, get some fresh air and exercise. This will help you focus, manage your workload and your own mental well being. 

Working from home can have its advantages, but any disruption to routine or change can take it’s toll on your mental health. Be mindful of changes in your mood or behaviour and ask others in your life to do the same if you’re concerned.

In these different times we need to work together and look out for each other.