November 20, 2023

3 min read

Remote Work and Mental Health: Top 5 Wellness Tips for Remote Workers

Haley Grant

Co-Founder of Sync

Remote work has impacted the global workforce and has transformed the notion of work-life balance. There are so many incredible advantages to remote work, including flexibility, increased productivity, less commutes, and overall happier employees.

That being said, there are also disadvantages to the work-from-home model that we need to take very seriously and address so as to continue enjoying the freedom and flexibility that we’ve all come to know and love. One of these disadvantages that we’re talking about today is mental health when working remotely.

At Sync, we’re all about enjoying all that remote work has to offer. So keep reading to learn more about how remote work impacts mental health and our top wellness tips you can try to better enjoy the WFH lifestyle.

💡 Also, for those interested in optimizing their home office setup, we have created a list of tools and resources suggested by our community. Don't forget to check the end of the article!

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Remote work meaning: What is remote work?

Remote work is a flexible work arrangement in which you can work from home or another place that is not the office. This way of working has been around for a while but really took off as a result of the pandemic.

The specifics of remote work can vary depending on the company and their unique guidelines. For example, you might work for a company that is fully remote but only hires employees in select cities or countries. Or maybe you work for a company that allows you to work remotely from anywhere in the world.

Another very common work model we’re seeing is hybrid, which can also vary, but generally, it just refers to a combination of both remote work and in-office work.

How remote work affects mental health

Yes, remote work impacts mental health and is particularly linked to depression and anxiety. In fact, an analysis by the Integrated Benefits Institute (IBI) found that fully remote and hybrid work are associated with an increased risk of anxiety and depression compared to a person who works in-office.

Yes, employees feel more productive when working remotely and would even take a slight pay cut for the option to work remotely (2022 study from Owl Labs and Global Workplace Analytics). But despite the overall satisfaction of working remotely, there’s no denying that employees can be at greater risk of anxiety and depression.

Can remote work cause depression?

It is believed that remote work can be linked to depression, and depends on various factors. Some of these factors include your working hours, how much exercise you get, your nutrition, your home working environment, interaction with others, and more. Overall, feelings of loneliness and isolation are big contributors to feelings of depression and anxiety.

💡Top Tip: If you’re in desperate need to get out of the house and work from somewhere else, use Sync to find laptop-friendly places to work from and also see where other remote professionals recommend working from.

Will remote work end?

Despite some companies pushing to get their employees back to office full time, one thing is clear: Remote work is here to stay. Maybe not fully remote, but the concept of flexible work options, like hybrid, isn’t going away any time soon. In fact, a recent survey by the Survey of Business Uncertainty shows that executives expect both fully remote and hybrid work to continue growing, despite return to office mandates.

Given that we know remote work is here to stay and that this way of working can negatively impact mental health, we want to share some tips to help prioritize your wellness so that you can enjoy all the benefits WFH has to offer.

“How can I protect my mental health when working remotely?”

Here are 5 tips to take care of your mental wellbeing when working remotely:

Establish boundaries

It’s not easy shutting off at the end of the day when your work literally follows you home. But when working remotely, it’s so important to shut down at the end of the day and really disconnect so that you don’t feel consumed by work. Just like you would leave your desk and colleagues in the office at the end of the day, it’s important to do the same when working from home.

Create a positive work environment

Set up a space in your home that you feel comfortable in. Whether it’s turning a spare room into an office or just designating a desk for yourself, cultivating a positive space to work in is key to feeling good during the work day.

Take care of your physical wellbeing

Maintaining a healthy exercise routine and prioritizing good nutrition is important for a multitude of reasons. Be sure to move your body, even if it’s just getting outside and going for a walk. And make sure you’re getting enough nutrition in your diet to keep you feeling amazing and performing at your best!

Get out of the house

Speaking of going for walks, it’s so important to get out of the house when working from home. If you enjoy working from coffee shops, for example, use Sync to find laptop-friendly places near you to try on a weekly basis. Meet up with friends or colleagues to work from a new spot for a day or take midday walks around your neighborhood to get some fresh air.

Prioritize your social life

And finally, there’s no better time than now to start making fun plans with friends! Prioritize moments to completely detach from work and go be around people. Maintaining social interaction when you primarily work from home alone is key.

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Discover remote work near me

Now that you know the benefits of remote work and some tips to take care of your mental health, you can enjoy all the amazing freedom and flexibility that comes with this way of working.

If you’re currently looking for a remote job or you know of someone who’s on the hunt, there are so many companies who are looking to hire. Check out this new job board we recently came across that shares all remote job postings.

Otherwise, be sure to check out our map on Sync for laptop-friendly places near you.

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Our Remote Work Recommendations

Optimizing my home office setup significantly boosted my productivity and comfort. That's why we decided to create a list of recommended tools from our community!

As Amazon Affiliates, using the links below supports our blog and helps us continue to provide you with great content.

If you have other recommendations, please send the Amazon link and a one-liner description to admin@syncremote.co. We'd love to include them!‍

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Productivity

Screen Extender : Recommendation from Adele Taylor - Give yourself some extra screen space. I love how it makes multitasking easier!
Double Screen Extender: Recommendation from Michael Johnson - Another awesome way to expand your laptop display. It's a game-changer for productivity.
LG Monitor: Recommendation from Jessica White - A high-quality monitor to enhance your visual workspace.

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For Comfortable Working

Sofa Lap Desk: Recommendation from Emily Davis - Keeps my lap cool and workspace organized. Perfect for working anywhere.
Travel Lap Desk: Recommendation from James Brown - Perfect for working from your couch with a mouse and phone holder.
Height Adjustable Laptop Desk: Recommendation from Sarah Miller - Ideal for a workspace setup anywhere in the house.
Height Adjustable Rolling Desk: Recommendation from Emily Davis - Comfortable for working on the couch or bed. I use it all the time!
Home-Office Chair: Recommendation from David Wilson - Super comfy and supportive. My back thanks me every day.
Ergonomic Home-Office Chair: Recommendation from Rachel Martinez - Another great chair that keeps me comfy while working.
Ergonomic Home-Office Keyboard: Recommendation from Brian Clark - Super comfy for typing all day.

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For Meetings

Bose Noise-Canceling Headphones: Recommendation from William Anderson - Perfect for blocking out distractions. A must-have for focus.
Meetings Microphone: Recommendation from Elizabeth Lee - Ideal for clear audio in remote meetings.
Jabra Headset: Recommendation from Daniel Thompson - Stays comfy and keeps me connected. Love it!
Meetings Lighting: Recommendation from Lauren Harris - Makes me look professional on video calls.

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Others!

Fitbit Advanced Smartwatch: Recommendation from Megan Moore - Helps me keep track of my health and stay motivated all day.

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Happy working!

You’re all set! Thank you !

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You’re all set! Thank you !

Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Get early access to our

invite-only

networking club

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‍

Haley Grant

Co-Founder of Sync

💡 Also, for those interested in optimizing their home office setup, we have created a list of tools and resources suggested by our community. Don't forget to check the end of the article!

Remote Work and Mental Health: Top 5 Wellness Tips for Remote Workers

Here are more articles you might be interested in:

7 Tips to Avoid Feeling Lonely When Working Remote

How to Stay Motivated Working From Home

Unlock the Benefits of Remote Work: 7 Reasons to Go Remote

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