Working from Home – Mental Health
Andy Cuff - FBCS VR ???
CEO & Founder @ Computer Network Defence Ltd | Cyber Security | Superyacht Cyber
LinkedIn - We are sharing a number of our policies during this Coronavirus pandemic in case they are of use to the wider community
Whilst Working from Home (WFH) is a solution that can be a really positive option that reduces stress, increases productivity and adds more joy to your life, not to mention offering protection from infection, it is not an easy adaptation for everyone.
You might experience increased anxiety or stress, since “working remotely creates a unique pressure to appear busy,” said Jane Scudder, a certified personal development and career transition coach. Because you’re not present in an office, she explained, you may feel pressure to be online every hour, make yourself constantly available or otherwise prove you’re spending your time in a productive way.
It’s worth us considering the pros and cons and deploying tips that help to make it a success.
Humans are social creatures and WFH has an impact on our social interaction and connection with co-workers, it takes a different approach to ensure that it is successful for all concerned.
The CTO has set up a Technical Support Channel on Teams, so if you have IT issues please don’t suffer in silence. Report it and a solution will be found.
There’s no perfect formula, so the first step is to be honest with yourself – are you the sort of person who is happy to work independently or you prefer a more social environment? Then focus on what you need to do to make WFH successful. Look online, the Coronavirus is having a huge impact on working practices across the globe, thousands of workers are moving to home working – there are plenty of resources.
We have appointed a Chief Morale Officer, if you are struggling reach out to her if you prefer not to discuss your issues with the wider team.
Top Tips
- Ensure your work area has a dedicated space with sufficient room to move freely and ideally with natural light. Ask the CEO to have a SAD lamp delivered to you if you need one.
- Organisation is crucial. Schedule your hardest tasks during your peak productivity hours.
- Have a defined working day so that the lines between work and home do not blur as this can make it hard to turn of and in turn can lead to lack of focus and low morale. It is important to disconnect and refresh.
- For some individuals, having a time planner for the week, plotting key tasks at specific times, really helps with motivation and productivity.
- Take a lunch break – sit outside if you can, weather permitting!
- Ensure you have time outside at least once a day, whether that be a short walk after you finish work or during your lunch break. Vitamin D is essential for maintaining positive mental health and keeping your immune system healthy.
- Make time to call colleagues rather than relying purely on email. If you prefer video-calling, it’s a great way to stay connected.
- Consider that the feedback and encouragement loop of the work environment is essential for some people, ensure that you maintain good communication when working remotely on tasks with colleagues.
- Dress the part. Teasing about wearing PJs until lunchtime aside, dressing in a relaxed work manner when working from home, helps to maintain a clear delineation between work hours and free time.
- Don’t suffer in silence. It sounds like a self-help mantra but it’s true. If you’re having a bad day, have a chat about it.
Useful Links:
20 Tips for Working From Home: https://uk.pcmag.com/software/62410/get-organized-20-tips-for-working-from-home
How to work from home without losing your sanity: https://edition.cnn.com/2020/03/12/success/work-from-home-tips/index.html
Productivity Tips Working From Home: https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/productivity-tips-working-from-home
Protecting your Mental Health while WFH: https://theattic.london/2018/05/16/protecting-mental-health-working-home/
Cat-Proof Barrier* https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-8095501/British-workers-share-tips-working-home.html
*ok so this one is The Daily Mail and isn’t entirely useful but dog/cat barriers are actually a pretty good idea…
Chief Marketing Officer | Product MVP Expert | Cyber Security Enthusiast | @ GITEX DUBAI in October
1 年Andy, thanks for sharing!
Cyber Security MSc (Hons) Forensics & Cyber Security, CISSP.
5 年Shared
CEO & Founder @ Computer Network Defence Ltd | Cyber Security | Superyacht Cyber
5 年my wife jokingly (I think) said what about the mental health for those that have been working from home for years who now have to share their working space
Focused on Security assurance and architecture for real world delivery. Looking for part time engagements to balance my week as I expand my knowledge of Cheese and Driving. No interest in inside IR35 roles
5 年Thanks for this Andy - good reminders even when we have been doing it for a while. (and Yvette)
IT Professional actively searching for my next challenge and available for hire.
5 年Over the last 5 years I have been working from home looking for a job (IT) as to me looking for work is a full time and unpaid job in it self...... Being at home can be a very isolating and lonely experience........If I didn't have internet access to talk to people + look for work (via social media and e-mail), I'd go cookcoo being at home all the time. When my mum was alive it was different as mum was my best friend and my mum so I never felt isolated and alone at home as I have been since mum died..... Having a job (IT) would allow me to get away from home for 8-12 hrs each day, have contact with humans in real life and not just via a computer screen so it would benefit my bank balance, career, future and my general health. As humans we are social creatures......I don't class being isolated and lonely as a mental health issue but its nice to talk to humans in real life or just be in the same area as real humans and not talk to any one but know you're not alone as there are other humans near by.