Remote work and mental health

Remote work has been on the rise since the start of the pandemic. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 40% of Australians have worked from home in the past few years.

At first, we all assumed that remote work would be beneficial for our mental health. We got to spend more time with our families and skipped stressful and expensive daily commutes.

However, as we return to normal, some folks are finding that remote work is detrimental to their mental well-being and may have a different perspective on work-from-home life. So, what is the final verdict on remote work? Is it helpful or harmful?

Advantages

Remote work was heralded as the next big thing in employee motivation. Millions of employees could work from home and reap the rewards that come with working from a home office. Still to this day, employees want to make remote work more permanent because the rewards outlast the disadvantages in their eyes.

No Commute

One of the biggest draws of remote work is the convenience it offers employees mainly in the form of a lack of a commute. Commuting can undermine our health. Even though some research suggests a 45-minute commute is tolerable, the ideal commute time is around 16 minutes. Anything beyond this can lead to excess stress and frustration.

The average Australian spends 48 minutes per day commuting – well above the “tolerable” level of commuting per day.

Remote workers get to skip the commute and spend more time at home. This means they can spend more time with family and less time on public transport where they may pick up infectious illnesses or viruses.

Better Work-life Balance

Employees who work remotely may have a better work-life balance than their office-bound peers. In theory, those who work remotely should have more free time, as they don’t need to commute to and from work. Remote workers may find it easier to finish their shift on time, too, as they simply need to log off and won’t be tempted to complete unpaid overtime with their peers.

Remote workers can use the time they save on commuting to promote better health and wellness. Employees who work from home may find it easier to attend fitness classes and community engagement opportunities in their area.

Remote employees can spend more time with their families, too. This may be why 81% of remote employees say that working from home (WFH) has improved their mental health. A further 46% of employees say they’re interested in increasing their personal time and want to work to flexible schedules.

Fewer Office-related Distractions

Working remotely means that employees get to skip the office drama and the continual distractions that come with working around large groups of people. Remote workers who have an adequate WFH set-up can work all day without distractions that derail their productivity.

Working productively is great for our mental health. Being recognized for a job well done can improve employees’ mental health and help them form lasting resilience. When working remotely, it’s easier to get to work with fewer distractions.

Freedom and Self-Efficacy

Folks who work remotely may feel more in control of their daily lives and routine. Even simple changes – like being able to choose the clothes you wear to work – may produce feelings of self-determinism and higher self-efficacy.

Self-efficacy is vital for our mental health. Those with high self-efficacy may form a stronger sense of commitment to the hobbies they enjoy and the work they love. Folks with high self-efficacy also find it easier to bounce back from setbacks and are more likely to have a “can-do” attitude when approaching problems.

Disadvantages

At first, remote working looks like the ideal scenario for modern employees. However, there may be more than a few drawbacks to WFH on a full-time basis.

Isolation and Loneliness

Working from home alone can be an isolating experience. Even employees who can connect via video calls and messaging boards may still find that the lack of face-to-face contact undermines their mental health.

Research from the Australian Institute of Health and Wellness suggests that social isolation can undermine employees’ mental health. Loneliness can become cyclical if employees also struggle with depression or anxiety. Over time, this can lead to negative health trends as folks are less likely to get outside and exercise or socialize before or after work.

Burnout

Burnout is a major concern for employees and business owners. Remote workers may be particularly susceptible to burnout, as many remote employees may not have the same consistency and routine as a commute to the office would provide.

Remote workers may recognize burnout in a variety of symptoms, but most notably as stress. Stress is a leading cause of fatigue and can lead to issues like brain fog and declining productivity. This can lower employees’ feelings of self-esteem and worsen relationships outside of work.

Worse Work-life Balance

Although remote work is supposed to give most a work-life balance and more free time, other remote workers find that WFH actually worsens their work-life balance. This is likely due to the temptation to overwork, as employees can log on to their work accounts 24/7.

Remote workers who have an inadequate WFH set-up may be particularly susceptible to overworking. Without a home office, remote employees end up working from kitchen tables, bedroom floors, and living room couches. This can cause a decrease in self-autonomy and may exacerbate conditions like burnout and social isolation.

Conclusion

There are clear benefits and drawbacks to working remotely. Ultimately, each employee needs to decide if remote working is right for them. Employees who choose to work remotely can expect to have more free time, but should actively fill this time with activities they enjoy. Likewise, employees who choose to return to the office should reach out to their peers and make the most of their professional relationships.