The solution that many professionals are turning to is remote work. Gaining back control over a large portion of their work-life balance has helped substantially lower work stress's impact on their overall well-being. If you feel stretched too thin, consider some of the relief that a remote role might offer.
On the one hand, remote and hybrid workers report higher levels of engagement than in-office workers, but they also have higher rates of daily stress.
However, the opposite is true. In fact, remote workers appear to be working longer hours while enjoying a healthier work-life balance and reduced stress. Remote workers are working longer hours. Ergotron's study found that 40% of employees work longer hours at home than when in the office.
Fully remote (40 percent) and hybrid work (38 percent) are associated with an increased likelihood of anxiety and depression symptoms compared to in-person work (35 percent), according to an analysis by the Integrated Benefits Institute (IBI), an Oakland, Calif. -based nonprofit research organization.
74% report that working from home improved their family relationships, and 51% strengthened their friendships, addressing concerns about isolation. 82% say the ability to work from anywhere has made them happier, and 55% say that such work decreased their stress levels. Other surveys back up Cisco's findings.
One pre-pandemic study showed that full-time remote work was found to increase loneliness by 67% when compared to in-office work, according to research by organizational psychologist Lynn Holdsworth. “The feeling of loneliness can be debilitating,” says Dr.
"Working from home allows me to begin my workday sooner. I can skip traffic and avoid delays due to weather conditions, which gives me two more hours daily that I can dedicate to my job." "I really appreciate the flexibility that working from home offers. I am more creative and focused early in the morning.
Remote working ability really makes people happier
While 81% of respondents said the opportunity to work from home would make them feel more equipped to deal with work/life conflicts. Remote workers are 22% happier with their jobs than on-site workers.
Staying home for long periods can increase a person's risk of experiencing several mental and physical health conditions. People should keep a note of any adverse symptoms that they experience and seek medical assistance if these symptoms affect their daily life.
In contrast, working remotely generally allows for a quieter, more subdued atmosphere, reducing the likelihood of sensory overload and the associated feelings of stress and anxiety.
On average, those who work from home spend 10 minutes less a day being unproductive, work one more day a week, and are 47% more productive. In a workweek, those who work at home are more consistent, work more hours, and get more done.
Working from home provides many benefits, such as making employees happier and more productive. One of the best things about remote work is that it makes employees more loyal.
A sedentary lifestyle, like sitting in front of a computer all day, will contribute to feeling tired. "The less active we are, the less energy we have," says Pinkham. Find ways to incorporate exercise into your life (bonus points if you can get outside).
The study found that remote work had an increased effect on mental health as compared to in-person work. Specifically, the study found that increased rates of anxiety and depression were found in fully-remote workers (40%) and hybrid workers (38%), but only 35% for those who work on-site.
A recent study by the Harvard Business Review found that remote employees are more productive than their on-site workers/ office workers. The reason is that they are less likely to take time off and quit. A separate study highlights that employees who work remotely can save up to $4,500 annually on commuting costs.
Productivity and organization
It's difficult to stick to a schedule and get all the tasks done. But this gets even harder for remote workers. Managing your to-dos can be challenging when you work from home and have such a flexible routine and distractions. An organized schedule is critical to staying productive.
The hardest part of working remotely is typically isolation and finding the right routine. Many remote workers say that isolation from coworkers is challenging to their mental health and their productivity.
higher extroversion is positively associated with participation in virtual communication. higher conscientiousness is positively associated with motivation in remote workers.
Last year, employees reported their highest rates of job satisfaction since 1987, per data from Conference Board reported by the Wall Street Journal. Employees who were the happiest had either job-hopped during the pandemic or were working in hybrid-remote environments.
A study conducted by Texas A&M University found that remote work does not have a negative impact on organizations' productivity. Remote working, particularly during a crisis, may significantly boost worker productivity and company resilience.
However, it appears likely that remote work will remain in substantially higher demand than before the onset of the pandemic. Workers indicate a high preference for WFH, and a hybrid WFH pattern that offers between two and four days of remote work per week appears to be the preferred option for many.
Loneliness is one of the main drawbacks you might need to overcome when remote working. This is especially true if you're not used to working alone all day long. While working in the office, you could turn to your colleague for a quick question or randomly run into someone in the hallway to have a casual conversation.
You can complete more work tasks and assignments.
And a 2021 survey of remote workers found that 6 in 10 reported they're more productive working from home than they expected to be because they don't have the commute and may be getting a better night's sleep.