Mental Health Matters While Finding Harmony with Remote Work
The world is always changing and one of the biggest shifts in the past few years is that many of us have embraced remote work. Working remotely has given us more freedom and flexibility, but it also brought us some new limitations. There are some studies that show how remote work can help with balancing work and life, and it has challenged us to rethink how we live our daily lives.
These studies from Remote.com describe the American Life-Work Balance Index by state, the European Life-Work Balance Index and the Global Life-Work Balance Index for 2024.
I have been working remotely for over 4 years, since before the pandemic. However, COVID19 added the experience of working from home for us all and then as the lockdowns ended people were able to explore other options outside their home for remote work like coffee shops, co-working spaces and working while you are traveling. While this change to how we work has given many of us more control of our daily life, it has also combined our work and personal life in a new way.
Working from home can have many advantages for mental health. The first thing that comes to my mind is the time I save before and after work, avoiding commuting to an office and back home. This turns into less stress and more time to sleep and rest properly. Another benefit is that you can actually choose which is the best place for you to work each day whether it’s from home, a local coffee shop or from a different city or country while you’re traveling. Personally, I like to combine them both, staying close to my family from time to time and traveling around the rest of the time.
Read my blogs: Embracing The Freedom Of Becoming A Digital Nomad and Where Work Meets Wanderlust: My Top 5 Digital Nomad Destinations to explore this more!
Despite the benefits, remote work also comes with mental health challenges. One of the biggest issues is isolation, which I personally have to deal with. Without the daily social interactions that happen in an office, it’s easy to feel lonely. This can affect your mental health in a really bad way.At the same time, sometimes we find ourselves over-connected from the pressure to always be online and available which can lead to burnout, making it difficult to fully disconnect from work once you have finished your shift.
This study by Buffer, State Of Remote Work, addresses this topic perfectly.
This study by Buffer, State Of Remote Work, addresses this topic perfectly.
My Top 3 Strategies to Maintain Mental Well-being in a Digital World
As mentioned, I have been here before the pandemic, so I consider myself a “Senior” in this world of remote work and that is why I share my experience to help you. I have learned many things from my experience and I use the lessons I learned to help you make your life easier and your experience better.
These 3 strategies help me give the best of myself in my work while keeping my mental health in a good shape.
- Stay Socially Connected – Find time to spend with friends and family. If your coworkers are far away, you can always schedule a virtual coffee break! One thing that also helps me is doing after work activities, like some group sports.
- Set Clear Boundaries – Separate your work and personal time. Create a working schedule and stick to it. Prevent work from overlapping your personal life.
- Create A Healthy Workspace – Find a nice place to work from. It doesn’t matter if you are at home or if you are a digital nomad. Having a dedicated workspace helps your mind switch between “work mode” and “life mode”. Pay attention and know what you need whether it’s a quiet space, headphones, or a more active environment like a coffee shop. Work where you are comfortable, where you can work smart and be productive.
Working fully remotely for several years has taught me that it is key to find balance between the flexibility remote work offers and the potential stress it can bring. Prioritizing your mental health is not only important for your well-being, but it also helps you perform at your best and work smarter.
The most important thing is to TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF!
If you’re looking for a remote job or need guidance on how to manage your work-life balance while working remotely, I’m here to help.
I can help you navigate this journey more easily and with confidence.
Book a free coaching session with me to discuss your career goals and learn how I can help you find the right remote work opportunities for you.
Let’s work together and create the life you want!!
Isabel Dorado
Isabel has traveled to more than 30 countries as a Digital Nomad, hiring global talent for Tech, Product, Data, and Operations across Europe, LATAM, and India. Her native language is Spanish, she is fluent in English and specializes in tech careers and transitioning to digital nomadism.
