One’s mental health is important to prioritize. While working is for you to be able to afford your needs and help you survive, it can take a toll on your mental health if you’re exposed to an unhealthy working environment. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a negative working environment may lead to physical and mental health problems, the harmful use of substances or alcohol, absenteeism, and lost productivity. Workplaces that promote mental health and support people with mental disorders are more likely to reduce absenteeism, increase productivity, and benefit from associated economic gains. Work-related stress can be more threatening than you think.
There are many factors that can trigger mental health problems in the workplace. Are there any ways to prevent these from happening to your remote team? Here are the reasons why remote work is good for your team’s mental health:
What is Stress?
Stress can come from different areas, not just from the workplace. There are, however, activities that can contribute to stress just by going to work alone. These include racing to get to work on time, experiencing traffic and road rage, having kids to drop off at school, leaving behind problems you’ve got going on at home, and many more. If all of these are eliminated from your team’s daily routine when preparing for work, it can help lower their stress levels and allow them to be focused on the actual work, without having to worry about when to get things done on time.
Removing the extra time just going to work, doesn’t only prevent your team from being stressed, but it also gives them enough time to care for themselves and tend to tasks that are not related to work. Giving them enough time for themselves can help them focus on their personal development and improve their quality of life.
Other than that, having an unhealthy lifestyle is also one of the most significant causes of stress. Studies show that an employee’s lifestyle affects his or her work performance. In fact, research conducted in 2010 revealed that unhealthy lifestyle choices make workers less productive. An unsatisfactory work content equates to lower business performance and a dissatisfied clientele.
Is there no other way around it? There is actually!
How Working Remotely Reduces Stress
Remote work allows professionals to work outside a traditional office environment. It helps reduce stress, enhances overall health and wellness, and will contribute to productivity at work.
1. Less exposure to pollution.
Unlike working in a regular office setting, working from home creates a relaxing workplace that keeps you away from the negative elements outside such as smoke and noise pollution.
2. Fewer interruptions.
I’m sure some of you experienced sorting an elaborate scheduled plan, only to find out that it wasn’t going to be of any use anyway because of interruptions at work. We know the struggle. It happens to the best of us.
According to FlexJobs, “striking work-life balance by working from home can also allow you to concentrate more readily on your work, without having to concern yourself with in-office stressors such as your work wardrobe, competing with colleagues, or internal posturing.”
It is easier to create a better work-life balance working from home than in the office. It may not seem so because you are closer to your pets or maybe kids, but having them around while you work makes it easier to check up on them and attend to their needs. You can also easily tell them when you can or cannot be disturbed compared to when you are at work. They don’t need to distract you with multiple text messages or non-stop calls.
3. Easier to juggle responsibilities at work and at home.
Being assigned to work on multiple tasks and being called to attend meetings every now and then can be aggravating. On top of that, you get calls coming from home because of certain problems, keeping you from sitting down to focus on your workload.
Work would be especially difficult if you have other matters to attend to, that keeps you from finishing your tasks on time. Because of these interruptions, 50% (or more) of your time may be completely wasted. You shouldn’t let your team lack the support that they need to accomplish their tasks. Being able to manage your own time, tend to your family’s needs, watch over your health, are all possible because of remote work.
4. Easier to create healthier habits.
Remote work promotes a healthier lifestyle. Having more control over your time makes it easier to manage your time for everything–getting enough sleep, cooking healthy meals, working out mid-shift, and meditating during work breaks.
People who tend to have low self-esteem issues are more likely to be at risk of developing unhealthy habits, such as eating disorders, social anxiety, and codependency. If they suffer from these issues, they won’t be motivated to work. This might also worsen their condition if managers don’t focus on early intervention. Your remote team’s overall health should not be an option, since you don’t get to see them often, it is best to check on them to make sure how they’re holding up.
5. Higher job satisfaction.
The more your team has the freedom to manage and balance their work with their personal life, the more they’ll be able to actively perform their tasks. They must be in tip-top condition in order for them to perform well while their job satisfaction increases. Being confident can directly affect your work performance. If you’re working in a field that you love, performing well, living healthily with your family, and you’re able to supply their needs, who wouldn’t feel self-assured? Live your best life!
Mental health problems should not be overlooked. If there’s one thing that a developing business needs, that is its employees. Care for your remote team and break the stigma that revolves around mental health problems in the workplace.
