The world is changing rapidly and dizzyingly, with new forms of work and economy, companies have found ways to leverage remote human talent, and for professionals in all fields, a whole new universe of possibilities has opened up: telecommuting.
However, not everything is advantageous, as everything has its negative side that must be evaluated and considered. Indeed, a recent investigation yielded some very interesting results. The objective of the research focused on understanding the impact of telecommuting on the health of the working population, analyzing data from a total of 15 countries.
The ILO, that is, the International Labour Organization, led the research; among other findings, it discovered that workers were much more productive when performing their tasks outside an office, which was the most important fact. However, the researchers also found that there are certain risks for the worker.
In this regard, the study revealed a very interesting fact: employees working from home had much longer working hours, a much more intense workload, and also interrupted their work to perform household tasks.
On the other hand, the research also distinguished employees into three categories: the first for those who regularly worked from home, a second category for those who constantly moved to work in different locations; and a final category for those workers who divided their time between an office and another place.
The interesting thing about all this is that although telecommuting is a way of producing that also provides new options that transcend physical space, even to other countries through companies that require human talent without the need for physical presence, it will be important for workers to establish, with some discipline, the necessary routines to balance work and other activities in a harmony that is entirely favorable for the well-being and health of the remote worker.
The Findings
Regarding concrete results, the most important critical factors showed that groups of people who usually worked in the office reported much lower levels of stress and insomnia than remote or home-based workers. To be even more precise, 42% of the latter showed significantly higher stress levels, compared to 29% of the workers studied who performed their tasks in an office.
According to the study's authors, these results clearly indicate a significant need to be in contact with other coworkers, although a large majority of the study population recognizes that “there are moments when physical isolation offers the best scenario to successfully complete a task,” quoted directly from the study.
Rest Routine
A fundamental element is that this telecommuting modality from home has severely affected daily routines, habits, and schedules for essential activities such as eating and rest. Therefore, facing this new reality, it will be essential to maintain order and effectively follow routines, which means that even from home, clear working hours must be established.
Thus, with the goal of making this experience sustainable, it will be fundamental to design a schedule plan that sets a time for each daily activity to be developed, including the telecommuting hours, and of course, to respect it.
Likewise, allocate a specific area to carry out remote work activities equipped with everything necessary. In fact, many companies working under this modality require compliance with a certain number of hours with very precise internal controls; however, there will always be the need to complete a task outside of scheduled hours, which invades time for other essential activities such as a good night's rest.
The lack of a well-established schedule, the same environment for living and working—that is, the same physical space—and the absence of the same options to rest as in a usual office outside the home are some factors that can disrupt workers' lives, according to important experts in the field.
It is a fact that before the pandemic caused by the recent health emergency, telecommuting seemed to many companies like a kind of bonus that provided some quality of life for employees. Now it has become, for many workers, an experience that can be very difficult to manage.
In conclusion, many people are suffering from stress and anxiety, including a significant number of associated physical symptoms such as insomnia, loss of appetite, general stomach discomfort, irritability, as well as sudden mood changes.
Boundaries Between Office and Home
Statements from specialists like psychiatrist Ana Millán explain that since telecommuting began, “the use of anxiolytics and hypnotics has skyrocketed, mainly as a measure to be able to fall asleep.”
This is explained by the simple fact that the living space was invaded by work. While before it was even burdensome and counterproductive to bring work home, now it is a necessity that must be managed wisely.
Thus, it will be essential to separate work hours from personal life. The initial idea of making a schedule and respecting it returns; on the other hand, sedentary behavior also affects mental health because workers do not receive the benefits of physical activity and exercise.
Respect Sleep Hours
A large majority of employees have meetings scheduled by some companies at midday, severely affecting family lunch time. Others are called at 8:00 or 9:00 p.m. because many leaders believe that having them available at home means they can work at any hour of the day. Not having established times to eat, work, or sleep causes fatigue and stress, creating a full picture of exhaustion due to the lack of boundaries between private life and work.
Therefore, disconnecting and putting on pajamas will be the first step to internalize that it is time to rest. Hence, the use of a good pajama is part of that habit that helps regulate night rest and avoid health disorders associated with stress that can seriously affect physical and emotional well-being.
Exercise Routines
Most psychiatric professionals explain that a good way to apply certain palliative measures to the problems that telecommuting can bring is to start the day with a small exercise routine at home before beginning work, change clothes, and avoid staying in comfortable clothes or working from bed, as well as maintaining regular meal routines to avoid losing usual lunch and breakfast times.
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