Working From Home Jobs Near Me: Mental Health and Remote Working

One of the biggest societal shifts in recent years has been the rise of remote working.

Nowadays, people have far more flexibility when it comes to their jobs. We have technology that enables us to work from home, and more and more jobs are being offered as remote options. Simply typing “working from home jobs near me” is likely to lead to many results. 

However, it isn’t all smooth running. Mental health and working from home is still an issue and is worth talking about. Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of working from home jobs in more depth.

Pros and Cons of Work from Home Jobs

Many people desire a work from home job because of all of the perks it offers, from starting the work day in your pajamas to getting to answer emails and conduct virtual meetings from the comfort of your couch. However, there are some downsides to remote work to consider as well. 

Pro: Eliminates a Stressful Commute

Working from home means you don’t have to lose all of the travel time you spent getting to and from work. No more sitting in traffic or rushing to get out the door at a certain time. 

You can instead use this time to enjoy breakfast, read a book, or prepare for your workday. 

Con: Leads to Feelings of Loneliness or Isolation

While working from your house is convenient, it can also be lonely if no one else is working from home with you. Without coworkers to talk to throughout the day, it’s common for people who work remotely to find that they haven’t socialized with anyone by the end of the day. 

Repetitive days of no interaction with others can feel very isolating and affect your motivation in negative ways. 

Pro: Offers Extra Time for Self-Care

Since you don’t have to spend time commuting to work, putting on a professional outfit, or leaving for lunch hour, you can redirect all of that time into other activities. 

These could be going for a walk around the neighborhood, doing a workout, or even getting household chores done to give you peace of mind. 

Con: Blurs Work and Home Life Boundaries 

When home is also where you work, it’s harder to completely stop working once the workday ends. With your work laptop sitting right there all evening, you may feel like you should be working even when you don’t need to be. 

Pro: Gives More Time with Family

If you have a family who is also home during the day, working remotely can be a huge advantage. This allows you to care for pets and children and spend more quality time with your family throughout the day, even if it is during little breaks from work.  

Ways of Prioritizing Mental Health While Working Remotely

If you currently work from home, you’re likely well aware that it’s full of both pros and cons. But how do you better your mental health while remote working to avoid feelings of loneliness, stress, or depression?

Here’s a quick list of things you can do to prioritize your mental health. 

Stick to a Routine

While having more freedom and flexibility is great, there’s something to be said about having a structured workday. 

Try to start your workday at the same time each day to get your mind and body into a schedule. It’s also helpful to create a rough outline of what you need to accomplish throughout the day so you can try to stick to this and get more done. 

Make Time for Brain Breaks

In an office, there are more socialization breaks than you’re going to get at home. Be sure to take your eyes off of your screen several times during the day and give your mind a refocus. 

Doing things like walking outside, reading an article in the newspaper, or enjoying a cup of tea can be good brain breaks. 

Set Up a Great Home Office

If you’re going to spend your work days at home, you want to at least enjoy the area you’re working from!

Invest in your home office and treat it like you would your at-work office. Find a comfortable chair, a clean desk, and any other work essentials you need to be most productive. 

Ideally, your home office will have a door that you can shut to give yourself privacy. Being able to shut the door to this space will also help you go off-duty once the work day is over. 

Avoid Sitting Still All Day

Just like working in a real office, it’s easy to find yourself sitting for hours at your desk without once getting up. This leads to more feelings of fatigue and loss of concentration. 

Remember to get up and move around at least once an hour to get your blood flowing and your mind back at top speed. Setting a timer on your phone can be helpful to ensure you don’t forget to stand up and stretch every once in a while. 

Try Working with Others

To combat feelings of isolation or loneliness while working remotely, consider working from a co-working space where you can be around others who are also looking for a work-from-home community.

Working from a coffee shop or library can also be a great option on days when you want to be around people while working. Even if you’re not socializing with anyone, simply being in a bustling atmosphere will help boost your focus and motivation. 

Find Working from Home Jobs Near Me

While a quick search of “working from home jobs near me” is likely to lead to success, just because remote jobs offer greater flexibility doesn’t mean they don’t come with their own set of negatives too. By doing small things to better your mental health as a remote worker, you can stay fulfilled and happy in your virtual role. 

We offer many different mental health treatments for those who are struggling to find peace and contentment in their lives. Reach out to us today to find out how we can help you.