Top 5 Tips For Dealing With Mental Health While Working Remotely

Dealing with mental health can be difficult and takes a lot of work, but it will surely pay off in the long run by starting to change now.

There has been an extraordinary increase in working remotely due mainly to the coronavirus pandemic, which has compelled individuals to spend more time at home. Many remote workers suffer from negative mental health when working remotely due to loneliness, separation, and other factors.

It may appear appealing at first, not having to commute every morning because you can turn on your laptop and be at work; not having to figure out what to wear the following day because you can stay in your PJs; consuming junk (I do not advise this in any way).

However, the novelty of working from home wears off after a while, and we begin to miss office banter and the social advantages of the workplace.

So how can we keep you sane while you work from home? Here are some pointers that can help you in dealing with mental health.

1. Create and adhere to a routine

Without consistent schedules, the distinctions between work and personal time can become fuzzy and tough to maintain. If possible, have a regular sleeping and working schedule. Get off of your PJ and have breakfast at the same time. Try scheduling “outdoor time” exercise, reading, or listening to music before facing your laptop.

Above all, when your workday ends, stop working. Shut down, stop reading emails, and concentrate on your personal life. And try to go to bed at your regular hour at the end of the day.

2. Create a work-friendly space

Not all employees are fortunate enough to have a dedicated home office space – and even those who have may not be accustomed to working for several weeks in this area. You may not have many alternatives for location, especially if you share the space with family members or housemates who work from home multiple days a week. Look on the bright side; try to locate your workspace in an area with plenty of natural light and ventilation. You may also try to apply some tips here to create a space that improves productivity. This is a great way to improving mood, elevating stress, and dealing with mental health.

It is easy to ignore how sunshine’s daily vitamin D dosage may significantly improve your mood. You may switch things up and move around during the day, which may be necessary if you have a kid. Finally, it’s essential to establish a setting where you can feel comfortable and productive — the least little things like plants or photographs may go a long way toward making your working area seem pleasant and aiding productivity.

Third-party offices like coworking spaces will also help you to be productive and kick off those to-do lists at the end of the day.

3. Maintain open lines of communication

Working remotely might leave you feeling alienated from your coworkers. Unfortunately, this can impact both your teamwork and your mental health. If you wish to solve this issue, prioritize effective communication with your team members. You may start with email and SMS on instant messaging applications. Then, if feasible, you may take contact to the next level by using video conversations with FaceTime, Skype, and other similar applications; this can help you deal with isolation or loneliness and efficiently disseminate knowledge.

4. Be kind to yourself

Break down activities into smaller, more achievable steps, for example creating Pomodoro breaks throughout the day, and reward yourself for finishing them to keep your motivation high. Rewards might include:

• Taking a well-earned break with your favourite snack
•  Allow yourself a Netflix weekend if you have adhered to the schedule
• Skip some housework if you make it for one day
• Anything that makes you happy, who fancy a beer after work?

5. Set boundaries

Setting boundaries with other family members is critical to maintaining your mental health when working from home. Working from home offers you more flexibility, so take advantage of it. However, it might be challenging if there are other distractions to deal with, such as kids at home who believe you are on vacation and would like to spend time with you.

Discuss your requirements, especially with “family flatmates.” Remind them that you still have work to accomplish and need quiet time to complete it, and share your calendar with them.

Set limits at work in the same way. It’s easy to stay logged on when your house is your business, but try to turn it off after work and spend time with family at home.

The Bottom Line

If your mental health interferes with your job performance, don’t be scared to share your concerns with your manager. You can decide to share only information you are comfortable with; being honest and transparent with your manager may go a long way. On the other hand, they may be able to create more flexible work schedules for you after learning about your situation, which may help alleviate stress. Furthermore, your manager can put you in touch with human resources to seek professional help, with support on mental health and counseling services that are covered by the company’s benefits and insurance policies.