5 tips to take care of your mental health while working remotely
May is the mental health awareness month. Younger generations have constantly fought to get rid of the tabu that surrounds mental health. Speaking publicly about going to therapy, getting help, and about how it’s okay not to be okay sometimes, are no longer considered reasons to feel shame.
However, it’s very important that we keep this conversation going. With recent changes and improvements, new challenges arise. Last year, we experienced not only sudden and drastic changes in the way we work, learn, and coexist. We also experienced what is known as ‘’mass trauma’’.
‘’COVID-19 qualify as a traumatic experience, as it takes physical and emotional toll on many people. Some people during this pandemic feel on guard or unsafe, have an increase in negative thoughts and feelings, and have problems with sleep and concentration – also symptoms of PTSD trauma’’ -Dr. Julian Lagoy, Psychiatrist
The sudden switch to remote work was in large part due to the pandemic, but since then, many companies have decided to stick to a remote or hybrid workstyle. Taking good care of your mental health has a positive impact, not only on your productivity and efficiency, but most importantly, on your overall wellbeing.
Understanding that taking care of our mental health is important, and that remote/hybrid work is here to stay, we want to give you…
5 tips to take care of your mental health while working remotely
1. Create a routine, stick to the schedule
According to the State of Remote Work 2021, 32% of people consider schedule flexibility the biggest benefit of working remotely. However, being able to organize those hours in your day is what makes it of value.
Wandering through a sea of tasks and meetings can be incredibly stressful, which is why managing your time is important, not only for your productivity but also for your mental tranquility.
Having a set of tasks and goals for the day helps your mind prepare for what’s ahead. Knowing what to expect makes working towards your stated goals easier and prevents you from vaguely meandering between all your tasks.
You can get help from tools like the Microsoft Teams Calendar and Planner, to have easy access to your tasks and events, and to make the most out of your workday.
2. Stay connected
32% of people say that loneliness, and difficulties with communication and collaboration, has been more challenging for them while working remotely.
Kamal Janardhan, a leader of engineering at Microsoft, says that what she misses the most from working on-site are the afternoon tea breaks, times in which she used to chat with her co-workers.
Luckily, the same technology that’s allowing us to work remotely is the one that can help us stay connected while we need to work apart. Microsoft Viva Connections was designed to be ‘’a gateway to your digital workplace’’.
3. Take a break
As we mentioned before, latest changes come with new challenges, such as meeting fatigue. According to the Microsoft Work Trend Index, the average number of meetings increased by 148% in just one year.
Microsoft Teams and Outlook allows you to separate time to transition from one meeting to another. Taking time to relax, stretch your back, your arms, and give your eyes a rest, is important to keep you going.
Changing how things are displayed on our screen and having control of the lighting are other solutions to reduce virtual fatigue. Read these articles to learn more about it.
4. Set boundaries
27% of people consider not being able to unplug the hardest challenge of remote work. Working all day in the same place you eat, relax and sleep can be hard. Setting physical and virtual boundaries is important for your mental health.
Having a room exclusively designated for working can be very helpful. Closing that door after your workday’s come to an end helps you leave behind work during the rest of your day.
Technology allows us to have everything at hand, however, this isn’t always a good thing. Getting notifications from work while you’re trying to relax can be frustrating. Microsoft Teams allows you to manage your notifications, in order to prevent this, and losing focus while working.
5. Focus on learning
Technology allows us to keep moving even when we must stay inside. Focusing your mind on personal or professional growth, instead of constantly worrying, can help us be more at ease.
With platforms such as Microsoft Learn or Microsoft Viva Learning, we can keep growing and learning from inside our homes.
Follow these tips to take care of your mental health while working from home. Many remote workers struggle with anxiety, loneliness, and depression. Keep in mind that it’s okay not to be okay, and don’t hesitate to ask for help if you need it.
And remember, if today wasn’t your best day, we get to try again tomorrow.
