A lot has been said about remote working - both good and bad. But what does it really do for our mental well-being? There are plenty of reasons to love working from home: no commute, a more relaxed dress code, increased potential to create your own schedule... the list goes on. And while there are some challenges that come along with it (isolation, distractions, and difficulty unplugging, to name a few), recent studies have shown that there are plenty of benefits to our physical and mental well-being when we work remotely. In this blog post, we will explore some of the reasons why remote working is good for your mental and physical well-being. From increased physical activity to improved mental health, read on to learn more about how working from home can be good for you.
1. More time to exercise
When you work from home, you eliminate your commute and save precious time. This extra time can be used to exercise, and we all know how important it is to get our bodies moving. You can use the time you would’ve spent commuting to go for a walk, run, or bike ride. Or, if you’re short on time, you can use your lunch break to squeeze in a quick workout. Not only will exercise improve your physical health, but it will also boost your mental well-being. Try these easy exercises you can do from the comfort of your home.
2. Increased productivity
There are plenty of reasons to love working remotely, but one of the best is that it can actually lead to increased productivity. You have more time to focus on your work when you’re not commuting or dealing with office distractions. And studies have shown that people working from home are more productive than their office-bound counterparts.
3. Less time spent commuting
If you work remotely, you can say goodbye to your long commute. No more spending hours in traffic or on public transport! This means you'll have more time to do the things you enjoy, like spending time with family and friends or working out. Working from home can also help improve your mental health by reducing your stress levels. According to Forbes, working from home can actually improve your happiness by 20%.
4. More time for healthy meals
One of the best things about working from home is that you have more time to focus on healthy eating habits. Cooking meals from scratch can seem daunting when you’re short on time, but it’s worth it for your health. With a little meal planning and prep work, you can make sure you’re eating nutritious food throughout the day.
5. Improved work-life integration
Remote working can help you achieve improved work-life integration. If you don't have to commute, you can use that time to do things that improve your well-being, like making a healthy breakfast, exercising, or spending time with family and friends. You also have more control over your schedule, so you can take breaks when you need them and work when you're most productive.
Remote working helps many working moms reduce mom guilt. By being present in the home and having the ability to interact with the children quickly, the mom's guilt is reduced which is good for mental well-being. Setting tight boundaries on yourself to avoid job creep at home is important.
6. More relaxed dress code
There are a few reasons why a more relaxed dress code can be good for your mental well-being when working remotely. For one, you’ll be more comfortable in your own clothes rather than having to wear something that’s uncomfortable or doesn’t fit well. Who doesn’t love wearing loungewear? And for virtual meetings, you can dress things up by wearing a smart shirt while still in your comfy sweatpants and slip-slops.
Additionally, not having to worry about what you look like can help you focus more on your work and less on your appearance. This can lead to improved productivity and better work-life integration.
7. Create your own office space
Working from home can provide many benefits for your well-being, including reducing stress, improving productivity, and increasing creativity. But one of the best things about working remotely is that you can create your own office space that perfectly suits your needs. Whether you have a dedicated room in your house for an at-home office, or you're just carving out a small space in your living room or bedroom, creating a comfortable and functional office space is key to making remote working work for you.
Here are a few tips for creating an effective remote working space:
1. Make sure you have a comfortable chair and desk. You'll be spending a lot of time sitting in front of your computer, so it's important to have furniture that supports your posture and helps you avoid discomfort or pain.
2. Invest in good quality office supplies. A well-stocked desk with all the necessary supplies will help you feel organised and ready to work.
3. Bring in some personal touches. Add some photos, plants, or other items that make your space feel like yours and help you relax and feel comfortable while you're working.
4. Keep distractions to a minimum. Try to create a space that's separate from the rest of your home so that you can focus on work without being interrupted by family members or pets. If that's not possible, try to minimize noise and visual distractions by wearing noise-cancelling headphones and closing the door to your office.
Conclusion
All of these factors can lead to improved mental and physical well-being. At RecruitMyMom, we believe flexible ways of working are the future of work and we offer flexible, remote and in-office opportunities for working women.
