When Home Becomes the Workplace

When Home becomes workplace Poster 2020.jpg

To support your mental health while protecting your and your family’s physical health during this pandemic, take initiative in maintaining wellbeing within a home workspace. This includes creating a comfortable and private place in your home to work, if possible and incorporating exercise breaks and social interaction into your routine. Finally, simple steps like turning off e-mail notifications before and after working hours and maintaining a normal sleep schedule will help maintain a feeling of normalcy.

The mental health risks of remote work

Many employees may experience unanticipated mental health consequences from mandated remote work, and it is important to be cognizant of this reality. Two causes for concern are isolation and burnout. Remote work is a common trend in many industries today, especially tech and business services; many are already familiar with how the solitude of working remotely can impact mental health. For those who are accustomed to and appreciative of conventional “office life” and a steady rate of social interactions at the office, the shift to remote work as a result of social distancing procedure during this time might cause a surprising, even if relatively mild, deterioration of mental health.

Working from Home Key Points

Isolation

A top priority, especially for those who are energized by it, is the need to maintain relationships with co-workers and managers. This is critical not only to work performance, but to emotional and mental wellness. Technology can serve as a boost to aid in this communication and there are plenty of existing examples to prove it like Zoom or WhatsApp calling.

Create the proper environment

Having clear to-do lists and deadlines is especially important when you're working from home. To make remote work possible, what you need first and foremost is a suitable digital infrastructure, i.e. access to important files, e-mails and tools. Employees should avail IT support from their company for this and not try to jury-rig solutions themselves. Companies are also responsible for providing their employees with the necessary software and hardware, in some cases.

Maintain order

A cluttered space is a cluttered mind. Your efficiency and productivity are directly associated with the tidiness of your working space. Try to be as organized as you are at the office. If small trinkets, plants and pictures distract you, get them out of sight; if you want your desk to be personal and motivate you, do exactly that.

Burnout

Burnout is a reaction to prolonged or chronic job stress and is characterized by three main dimensions: exhaustion, cynicism (less identification with the job), and feelings of reduced professional ability.

More simply put, if you feel exhausted, start to hate your job, and begin to feel less capable to work, you are showing signs of burnout.

The stress that contributes to burnout can come mainly from your job, but stress from your overall lifestyle can add to this stress. Personality traits and thought patterns, such as perfectionism and pessimism, can contribute as well.

Most people spend most of their waking hours, working. And if you hate your job and do not gain any satisfaction out of what you are doing, it can take a serious toll on your life.

Potential Benefits of Counselling

The counselling process is, in many ways, like an educational experience. You will not only learn more about yourself, but also acquire new skills. Sometimes, counselling involves learning more about a condition (e.g., depression, anxiety, eating disorders) by which you might be affected, so that you can better understand treatment options. Below are some examples of what you can gain from professional counselling: