Welcome to this week’s blog! As an Essex-based mental health training company, we understand the challenges that remote work can pose to your mental well-being. In this post, we’ll explore strategies for maintaining good mental health while working from home or alone. Whether you’re in Chelmsford, Colchester, or any other town in Essex and beyond, we’ve got you covered! Read on for practical tips and guidance to help you navigate the unique aspects of remote work.
After being on The Instructor Podcast for driving instructors at the end of Mental Health Awareness Week. (Have a listen here – we’ll be talking more about it next week though!) It’s led to a lot of thinking about how they work largely alone. So remote working – although often linked to being part of a bigger company, can also include lone workers, entrepreneurs or small teams that have individuals out on site on their own. It can be a lonely business!
Let’s begin!
1. Setting Boundaries for a Healthy Work-Life Balance:
When your office is just a few steps away, it can be tempting to blur the lines between work and personal life. However, setting clear boundaries is crucial for maintaining good mental health. There are a few things to consider around setting boundaries for a healthy work-life balance that enables you to look after your well-being when working remotely, including boundaries, working hours, and how you might communicate.
You could try some of these:
- Be clearer about the boundaries around work and play.
- Have a set time at which you start and finish. Stick to it!
- Decide on hours during which you are happy to be contacted.
- Use the ‘do-not-disturb’ function on your phone! It creates much-needed breathing space!
- Communicate when you are and are not available, and be proactive about blocking out some time off in order to create a better work-life balance.
Another thing to think about is the space and environment in which you work, when you go ‘in’ to an office, warehouse or workshop to go to work, you have a defined space, and you leave that space. The same can’t always be said when you’re working from home, or out and about. What can you do to create a clear idea of WHERE you work, and where you relax?
2. Managing Isolation and Fostering Connection:
Working remotely can sometimes lead to feelings of isolation. To combat this, it’s important to proactively foster connections with colleagues and maintain a sense of community.
In order to manage feelings of isolation, create opportunities for connection with others, this can be face-to-face, online or over the phone! Can you create regular calls, catch-up sessions, or join groups? Either with people you are working with, or others in similar roles. Using joint documents and systems to work together to enhance the sense of being ‘in it’ together. Get creative to find what works for you.
It’s important to strengthen your support outside of your working life when working remotely or solo – if you’re lacking the connection you might get from working with others in a more regular way, joining clubs, gyms or sports groups where you can mix with others, or online social groups all help. There’s no right or wrong way to gain connection – but it all helps to foster new connections and maintain your well-being.
3. Cultivating Social Connections While Working Remotely:
Building and maintaining social connections is crucial for our mental well-being. In this blog post, we provide tips on how to stay connected with colleagues and friends while working remotely in Essex.
Other things you can do include:
- Virtual team-building activities
- Online networking opportunities
- Use digital platforms that facilitate social interactions
- Join memberships that are both industry and non-industry based
By prioritizing social connections, individuals can combat feelings of loneliness and nurture a sense of belonging.
4. Establishing a Healthy Work Routine:
A structured work routine helps to maintain productivity and well-being while working remotely. Our blog post offers practical advice on establishing a healthy routine, including tips on structuring your day, scheduling breaks, and incorporating self-care activities. We emphasize the importance of maintaining a balance between work responsibilities and personal well-being to prevent burnout and promote overall mental wellness.
Some ideas you can try to really help signify your working day and give it more flow:
- Create a morning or end-of-day routine
- Decide on something that you do at the start of your day, like breakfast and checking emails
- Give yourself a ‘break time’
- Allocate time that is for personal errands, housework or taking care of dependants
- Finish off by walking around the block, taking a shower or getting changed at the end of the day
Keep going!
At Soul Focus Mental Health Training, we naturally understand the challenges, isolation and difficulties that can come with remote working – as it’s something we do too! We’re dedicated to supporting individuals in Essex and beyond in maintaining their mental well-being. Try out the strategies discussed in this blog post, open up and have conversations. Keep trying new things to navigate the remote work landscape with confidence – it will ensure your mental health remains a priority. To learn more, book a training course, or schedule an individual education session by getting in touch.
Book in for a chat with us here
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