Looking after your wellbeing whilst working from home

It’s vital to keep an eye on your mental wellbeing when working from home.

Whether you’re navigating working at home for the first time, running your business from home, or are weighing up the idea of moving into remote work – it is always a smart idea to check in with how working from home might impact your mental wellbeing. That way, you can start to build a happier and healthier working life.

Fortunately, there are many reported mental benefits of working from home. In this HuffPost article, clinical psychologist Dr. Ryan Hooper reports that working from home helps to ‘lessen some of the pressures’ of working life. This includes avoiding that long and frustrating commute, working under close, pressured supervision and attending endless meetings. The flexibility and independence of working from home, he found, can be ‘wonderfully freeing’ for some people, leading to reduced stress and more joy in life.

Looking after your mental wellbeing

But can working from home put mental health at risk? With workers missing out on opportunities for regular social interaction and connection with others, it can be easy for the home-working life to cause feelings of isolation and disconnection. It can also result in difficulties in terms of setting boundaries, leaving workers feeling like they have to be constantly available, and blurring the lines between home and work. This can sometimes cause longer, irregular working hours that cut into family time or sleep schedules, both of which can significantly impact your mental wellbeing.

In the first COVID-19 home worker wellbeing study, the Institute for Employment Studies (IES) found a ‘worrying snapshot’ of workers declining mental health. Around 50% of the initial respondents reported that they were not happy with their current work/life balance, 33% reported feeling frequently isolated and 64% reported a loss of sleep due to worry – all of which impact job satisfaction and mental wellbeing.

But it’s not all bad news! The study also recommends some vital tips for helping your mental wellbeing whilst working at home, alongside advice for employers on how to support their staff by motivating them to stay mobile and active.

Stay Mobile and Active

The IES recommends that all workers maintain mobility and stay as active as they can whilst working at home. Whether this is a walk, some gentle stretches at home or even just standing up and getting away from your desk regularly during your working hours. Our sit-stand desks are a great choice to help provide a bit of daily activity, enabling you to stand for periods of time whilst working.

Home Set-Up

The number one IES recommendation is that all employers (and workers) ensure their home office space is safe and ergonomic. This can include ergonomic office chairs, desks and keyboards, all designed to help you have maximum comfort during your working hours, which can help with focus, sleep and stress in the body.

Also, the positioning of your set-up is incredibly important. Research shows that having natural light in your home office, as well as well-placed desk lamps and even some fairy lights for an added aesthetic boost, can massively benefit your mental wellbeing and job satisfaction.

Why Bluespot?

Here at Bluespot we have a great range of ergonomic furniture, designed to keep you comfortable during those long working hours. Our electric height adjusting desks provide the opportunity to raise your desk to a standing position for periods of time while you work, which is shown to have great health benefits, especially when it comes to job satisfaction and mental wellbeing.

We also offer a comfortable range of ergonomic office chairs, which provide all-day comfort and an added touch of style to any room when working from home. Having a home office set-up that’s styled to your taste is sure to bring that extra touch of joy to your life.

For more detailed advice on creating the perfect home set-up, check out ‘Home Office Planning: The Essential Guide’ in our knowledge hub. Or alternatively, head over to our contact page and give our friendly and experienced customer service team a call – we’re always ready to help.