The pandemic has led a lot of people to work from home for long periods. While working from home has many benefits like flexibility and the ability to do multiple things, it can also harm one’s mental well-being. Let us take a look at the impact of remote work on mental health.
Social Isolation and Loneliness
When you work from home, you go days without talking to anyone else. While you may have the chance to avoid distracting co-workers when you work from home, you will miss talking to your team. This disconnect from your co-workers and team can lead to feelings of loneliness.
Anxiety and Stress
Feelings of anxiety, when you work from home, can take many forms
24/7 Pressure to Get Different Stuff Done – You generally tend to work more than required while working remotely. As a result, you tend to squeeze in work whenever you can. This can lead to a feeling of burnout due to a lack of breaks. If you work in the same place where you sleep, then the fine line between home and work life blurs, and you can start to feel the pressure of continuously working when you should be actually off.
The Stress of Doing Multiple Things – You need to be good with time management when you work from home. There are multiple things you need to take care of alone, which can lead to a lot of stress.
Depression
Feelings of depression can crop up when you begin to feel stuck in the same place while working from home. Without visible career milestones like a new office or promotion, you can begin to feel like you are not doing as well as your peers, and this can lead to depression.
How Do You Know Work From Home Is Affecting Your Mental Health?
Here are some common signs of mental health problems when working from home:
- Sudden outbursts of anger, frustration, and irritability over even the smallest of matters
- Loss of interest in work and hobbies
- Sleep disturbances, insomnia, or excessive sleep
- Constant fatigue and lack of energy
- Increased food cravings
- Feelings of anxiety and restlessness
- Trouble concentrating and making decisions
- Sudden rise in physical problems like backaches and headaches
- Wanting to stay home instead of going out and socializing with other people.
Mental health problems can slowly creep up when you work from home for long periods. In today’s times, especially with the pandemic, many people have had to work from home. And this has had a significant effect on many people’s mental health. If you have been working from home for a long time now, and feel like it is having an adverse effect on your mental health, contact Aura MD. Our team of psychiatrists will work with you and develop a customized treatment plan. We have now also started offering psychiatric services online for anyone who cannot visit our offices. Contact Aura MD and request a consultation today!