“Rather than worrying about stepping away from the computer, take a proactive approach. Exercise and stay active: This is not only good for your physical health, but also your mental health. Phone (703) 684.7722 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. As many of us are now working from home, we’ve got to navigate this new way of working together. 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. Working from home has plenty of benefits...but that doesn't automatically mean it's the best thing for your overall mental health and well-being. Here are some of the most interesting and, perhaps, surprising, ways flexible work can positively affect mental health. Get in touch. Don't underestimate the benefits of simply being outside. Our aim is to provide © 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. 5. And 71% said they’d like to work from home in order to reduce commute-related stress. “Commute” to work. support that should be available for everyone, no matter their situation. Working from home is hard — a routine makes it easier. It can improve productivity, reduce distractions, reduce stress, improve work satisfaction, lower the time (and cost) you spend commuting, give you greater sense of control over your workday, and can even help to avoid challenging colleagues! Mental Health America understands that racism undermines mental health. Print. If possible, have a dedicated workspace that minimizes distractions and helps reduce the blurring of lines between your work and home life. How working from home is worsening our mental health. Web page addresses and email addresses turn into links automatically. Another 10% identified as caregivers of someone with a physical or mental health issue. While working from home can provide an amazing sense of freedom and flexibility as well as a no-cost commute, there are pitfalls and hidden stressors to be aware of. 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. 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. 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. 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. It has unique challenges and benefits under normal circumstances, let alone in times of unique stress such as a pandemic.. 1. Periodically, get up and move around your home. While video calls are still providing a valuable link for many, they could also be creating more stress. Scheduling some activity into your day will benefit your work-from-home experience. ... Four things you can do to look after your mental health if you're working from home because of COVID-19. 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. copy of Happiful straight to your inbox each month simply by entering your email address below. The average commute time in the U.S. is almost 27 minutes each way. 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. 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. The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly. Mindfulness and meditation can help us to rewire how we think, increase our overall sense of wellbeing, and support our mental health. Eat breakfast. Looking after your mental health while working from home. Coronavirus: Coping with the challenges of working from home. 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. Mental health and work are intertwined. By focusing on what you can do to mitigate this stress, you can enjoy the added benefits of a work-from-home … But according to our … 500 Montgomery Street, 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. 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. 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. It can be tempting to check ‘just one more email’ or to reply to ‘just one more message’ from colleagues in a group chat. Try to treat your working day like any other, get up in good time before you start work, shower, get dressed, take regular breaks throughout the day and eat properly. Surveyed said flexible work options, in particular, have a significant impact on our mental health issue are. 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