Working from home? 5 ways to steer clear of mental health issues

More people are opting for an option to work from home, either part-time or full-time. While it can seem exciting at first, a freelance job can end up making several professionals feeling lonely or stressed.

Recent research states that working from home can often put a person’s mental health at risk, leading to isolation and disconnection. In many cases, the effects can take a toll on the mind and even become the leading cause of depression. It also happens due to a feeling of guilt that arises due to the work arrangement and can make a person feeling awful without having anyone to vent about it. Identifying the problem and seeking help from a close one is extremely important in such cases.

“Working from home has its fair share of advantages. Improvement in work-life balance, more family time and most importantly no time lost in travelling and traffic jams!” Dr Kedar Tilwe, Consultant Psychiatrist, Department of Mental Health and Behavioural Sciences, Fortis Health Care says, adding, “Meanwhile, in a workforce brought up under the strict 9-to-5 paradigm, this can lead to a disconnect.”

To help people feeling lonely at home, Tilwe doles out five ways of reducing stress:

Understand that work-from-home is a privilege and not a punishment. So utilize it when required.

Adhere to the regular time table you follow at the office.

Suit-up while working even if it is from home. It will give you the familiar sense of purpose.

Try and connect with your lunchtime buddies and colleagues so that you don't feel left out.

Try and earmark a preferred location at your home as the designated “workstation” and try to keep it as similar as possible to the one in your office.

“Remember that your office is as much a part of your life as your home. It’s quite natural to miss it so ensure that you visit your workplace at least once in a fortnight,” he advises.

Set a morning ritual that you cannot break away from and eat a balanced diet. Practice self-care and make sure you leave your house to take part in social activities. Be patient. Everything won’t work out in a fortnight. Just hang in there and have faith on your abilities.