Remote Work and Mental Health

By their very nature, humans are social beings. The vast majority of them expect and enjoy interaction with others. Sitting alone in your house all day long in front of a computer turns this natural propensity on it’s head. Therefore, in my opinion, social isolation is a significant threat to the mental well-being of remote workers, at least over the longer term.

For those experiencing a remote vocational arrangement, I recommend regular breaks, especially when they involve getting out of the house and undertaking exercise and stretching. In addition, those working remotely might want to consider boosting their social interaction outside of working hours to make up for the isolation they’re experiencing.

Remote workers should also closely monitor any feelings of stress and anxiety and address them in a timely manner. Such mental health conditions tend to worsen when left unaddressed. If they are experiencing such feelings, it’s important that they reach out to a mental health professional, including via online resources.