Is Working From Home Giving Rise to a Mental Health Pandemic? Here’s What an Expert Says
While the work-from-home approach has its own set of positives, such as reducing commuting time, allowing routine flexibility, and increasing productivity, experts warn it has a negative impact on mental health in the long run.
As the number of Covid cases declines, offices gradually reopen, and many of them adopt a mixed work model. However, many companies, primarily IT companies and start-ups, still permit their employees to opt for a 100 per cent work-from-home strategy.
Working from home offers its own set of advantages, including reducing commuting time, avoiding exposure to toxic substances, allowing for routine flexibility, and possibly enhancing productivity. The blurring of home and work lines, according to experts, is bad for one’s mental health in the long term since it causes issues in relationships, makes the day less organised, and isolates people who don’t have family or friends to keep them company.
As most offices are now opening up or embracing a hybrid form of working, it would be prudent to recall the lessons we learned during the pandemic, when the majority of us worked from home. While there are undeniable advantages to working from home, it may be damaging to us if it lowers our daily social interactions.
With the start of the Covid-19 period, the way we worked in the workplace altered drastically. Initiated as a temporary measure, the work-from-home model lasted longer than anticipated due to successive Covid waves, and employees quickly adapted to working in a digital environment without sacrificing productivity.
It was initially difficult for the majority of individuals to adjust to a work-from-home position, but many grew accustomed to this way of life.
With more offices continuing to use work-from-home and more individuals becoming accustomed to it, let’s explore how it is affecting our mental health.
Family Life Being Affected
In the first year of the lockdown, there was an increase in reports of couples and families experiencing relationship problems, as most were not accustomed to spending so much time apart from their loved ones. Instances of disagreement, conflict, and conflict between family members increased. It is possible that a work-from-home approach is not conducive to healthy family life.
The Blurring of Work-Life Boundaries
While many employees overwork themselves, it might be challenging for them to focus on their employment due to urgent domestic issues. It is challenging for employees to construct a timetable that ensures a healthy work-life balance. Family and work lives are getting more and more entwined.
Impact Social Life
The work-from-home model lowers employees’ opportunities to interact with others, hence increasing their sense of isolation. Many people have no social connections beyond their homes. This can unquestionably be detrimental to mental health.
