Many people who work remotely feel isolated and cut off from the rest of the world, and this often leads to feelings of depression and anxiety. While remote work has its benefits, it’s important to be aware of the potential pitfalls so you can address them.
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Understand the Root Causes of your Mental Distress
The first step is to understand the root causes of your mental distress. If you can identify what is making you feel anxious or depressed, you can begin to take steps to address those issues. Working from home with no human interaction may be lonely for some people.
Also, some individuals may find that remote work exacerbates certain feelings stemming from a personal situation like losing a loved one. Whatever the cause, it’s essential to be honest with yourself so that you can find an appropriate solution.
Try Working in a Different Location
If you’re finding it hard to focus or concentrate at home, try working in a different location like a coffee shop or library. This change of scenery can help break up the monotony of your day-to-day routine and make it easier to focus on your work.
Make Time for Leisure Activities and Socializing
Make time for leisure activities and socializing, even when busy with work. Schedule regular outings with friends and family, or join a club or interest group where you can meet new people. These activities can help reduce stress and improve your overall mood. Additionally, participating in physical activity regularly has been shown to have numerous mental health benefits.
Co-Working Centers Can Be a Great Solution
If you’re struggling with the isolation of working from home, consider finding a co-working center in your area. Co-working centers provide a shared space for remote workers and freelancers to come together and work side-by-side.
Depending on where you’re located, you can often find an affordable co-working space in your area. For example, WeWork allows you to rent a desk for about $29/month in New York City. In San Francisco, Mindpass lets you use a daily pass that lets you work at their facility whenever you need. If you’re based in Los Angeles, Onboard Coworking lets you get a day pass for as little as $25/day. These are small prices to pay when considering the potential benefit to your mental health.
Co-working centers have been a game changer for the well-being of many individuals. Getting up every morning and going somewhere to get your work done helps ease the feelings of isolation and lack of structure. As humans, we all need structure to give us a sense of control over our lives.
Remote Work Doesn’t Have to Be Lonely
There is hope for those struggling with the mental health challenges that come along with remote work.
If you are struggling with mental health issues and need help, please reach out to a mental health professional or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988. You are not alone. Help is available.
