Working a remote job doesn’t necessarily mean complete freedom from stress and other personal issues that might ruin the mental condition of an employee. While it may be true that there are several benefits that are intertwined with home-based jobs, earning some bucks within the four corners of the home isn’t all about sunshine and rainbows. In contrast with office-based jobs, those that are working from home can experience specific emotions that can affect their mental state in a negative way. Feelings such as loneliness can trigger high levels of cortisol, also known as the stress hormone, which may lead to depression and anxiety.
Are you a home-based employee? Here are some of the best ways to keep your mental health in the best shape as you accomplish your day-to-day tasks:
Identify your stressors
A stressor is a psychological term that describes specific things, events, experience, or places that causes stress, which is a common mental health issue of today. Though managing stress is quite tricky, the first step to do is by trading down your stressors. Knowing your stressors makes it easier for you or a mental health professional to come up with a better way of coping with it.
Some examples of stressors in home-based jobs include:
- Lack of Social Engagement
- Career and job ambiguity
- Workload
- Excessive distractions
Set up a Home Office
The most flexible aspect of home-based jobs is the environment. Unfortunately, the location of employment can also be the root-cause of mental health problems. Make sure that you create a boundary that separates your personal life from your career. This can be done by simply setting up a home office. Invest in some desk chairs and tables so that it can look like a place where you will be more inspired to work. Organizing your place conditions your mind to be more focused on the job and makes you less prone to distractions, increasing your productivity in the long run.
Reach out to Someone
Regardless of how introverted you are, interpersonal relationships are still vital to an individual’s overall well-being. To avoid any feelings of isolation, it is not a bad idea to establish communication with those people you loved for at least once in a while. It is also a good idea to build friendly relationships with those that fall within your line of profession. Try video chatting with your co-workers virtually via video chats or contacting a mental health professional for any advice that they can give.
Avoid Staying in Your Chair for Too Long
No one wants to stay in the very same spot for hours. Letting yourself stationary is a very unhealthy lifestyle even for those are working on flexible schedules. Take a short break for a little stretching and walking around your house to get your blood flowing and uplift your mood!
Always Mind Your Work-Life Balance
When it comes to maintaining mental health, balance plays a vital role. Train yourself to stick to a particular working schedule or routine but try to develop hobbies that you find exciting outside of your professional life. Diversify your interests by trying out new and exciting things like traveling and volunteering.
Maintaining your mental health in optimal condition is paramount for your productivity at work as well as in your personal life. Try out there five methods and see for yourself!
Sources:
- https://mhanational.org/blog/mental-health-benefits-remote-and-flexible-work
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/laurelfarrer/2019/04/12/are-home-offices-fueling-a-mental-health-crisis/#7e5228ac3ea3
- https://www.verywellmind.com/the-stress-of-working-from-home-4141174
- https://www.apa.org/helpcenter/work-stress