While there are no doubt benefits to a work-from-home lifestyle, there are downfalls, too. It’s not all about waning productivity or inconsistent hours, either — working from home can take a toll on your physical and mental health.
As an increasing number of us are working out of the office and in the comfort of our own homes, it’s valuable to recognize and guard against some of the health hazards that come along with the at-home job site.
Tackling 5 Health Perils When Working from Home
1) Lower Activity
Working from home certainly saves you a commute, but all of that time cooped up indoors can lead to physical consequences. When you’re at home all day, you’re less likely and less motivated to get up and do things — and that’s not just because you might stay in your pajamas all day! When your schedule is not as set in stone, it’s easier to skip out on going to the gym or for a run.
When you go to work at a physical office, there’s at least some walking involved — even the option to take the stairs. Physical activity goes down when you’re at home unless you make the conscious effort. Becoming more sedentary puts you at risk for obesity as well as other health problems. Be sure that, even if you’re working from home, you’re still getting out and getting active.
2) Growing Loneliness
When working remotely, it’s a lot easier to become isolated. We’ve all experienced this to some degree during the pandemic quarantine. As people, we need other people! Whether we realize it or not, a lot of our daily socialization comes from co-workers. After all, we spend some eight hours with them each day of the week. Working from home still offers a chance for digital connectedness, but this isn’t the same as face-to-face interaction. Loneliness can set in as we rely more on autonomous work and less collaboration — not to mention reduced casual socialization.
Make a point to continue personal relationships with friends and co-workers. Whether you share a video call or a phone call, an intentional effort to stay in touch beyond business matters will greatly benefit your overall mental health.
3) Increased Stress Levels
COVID-19 has been stressful. Just the anxiety and fear of the pandemic on top of economic concerns is enough to give anyone an elevated baseline level of stress. When you add the stress of maintaining productivity in this chaotic world (not to mention kids being at home and not having a dedicated office space) that stress is only likely to grow.
Stress, as I’ve written about in the past, is a killer. Chronic stress can cause some real health issues, particularly with the cardiovascular system. Stress, too, can cause us to fall into physically detrimental habits — eating more junk food, smoking, drinking more, and poor sleep quality.
Help relieve this stress by maintaining personal relationships and getting regular exercise.
4) Burn Out
On the surface, it seems as though working from home should be less stressful than working in the office. After all, you set your own hours, no boss is looking over your shoulder, and you don’t have to worry about getting in rush-hour traffic jams.
However, burn out is a very real risk for the remote workforce.
This is because those lines between work and life get increasingly blurred. There’s a right and wrong way to deal with a work-life blend. We burn out when we don’t allow ourselves physical and mental breaks from work. It’s still important for us to set appropriate work hours and “out of office” hours so that we can take a necessary respite to recharge. There’s a temptation to bend your schedule in unhealthy ways, too — say, skipping meals or regular exercise in favor of getting more done.
Guard yourself against burn out by setting appropriate boundaries between work and home life, even as they blend.
5) Physical Strain
While working from home can be easier in some ways, most people are ill-prepared for it. We don’t all have designated workspaces or equipment, and, as a result, we run the risk of physical aches and pains. When your home office is lacking in ergonomic qualities — correct elevations of the head, wrist, etc., and comfortable-yet-supportive chairs, you’re likely to suffer pains in your hands, wrists, neck, and back.
Sitting at the kitchen table, in a recliner, or even staying in bed can all contribute to strains and aches. Be mindful of your posture and how, over time, your positioning may be hurting your body. Adjust as needed and invest in more work-friendly spaces, like a proper desk chair and workstation.
Are you protecting your health while you work? Share your tips for staying healthy in the comments.