We live in times when most of us work from home. Our job depends on the internet connection, a device and our creative skills. But although teleworking comes with a lot of benefits like less associated traffic delays, flexible program and sometimes enhanced productivity, working from home can also lead to depression. Studies have shown that remote employees find it more difficult to maintain their mental health intact. Why is that? Let’s see:
Although being sad is a normal emotion everyone feels, it can also be caused by an important change in your life such as the end of a relationship, moving to another city or the loss of a friend. Unfortunately, sadness can also evolve into depression, especially if the mood starts to interfere with one’s daily activities. A depression episode can last at least 2 weeks and it can be triggers by an environmental factor or sometimes it can come out of nowhere. If you believe you might suffer from depression, talk to a mental healthcare provider to receive an accurate diagnose and several treatment options.
Does working from home cause depression?
Although research is still needed to link working remotely to depression, it is a sure thing that this situation can add a lot of stress to some people. A study made by The European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions found out that more than 40% of remote employees report psychological stress that leads to depression. Other studies show that 71% of those who work from home reported less commute-related stress.
Fortunately, there are ways to reduce that stress and make your work space at home more productive. Here are 5 ways to banish depression while working from home:
Although it has unique benefits, working from home comes with changelings as well and it can be hard, especially in times of unique reasons to be anxious such as this pandemic. Acknowledging that the situation is hard, is the first step you can make to ease that tension. But you can also:
- Call a friend
Or a family member you can talk to about your day. Sometimes hearing the voice of someone close can help you feel more connected and ward of those feelings of isolation.
- Write down your goals
Depression can also affect your productivity so if you want to visualize what you need to achieve on a daily basis, you can write down a list of measurable goals.
- Create a daily schedule
When you’re not at the office you might lose track of time so if you want to get your tasks done, create a daily schedule and take breaks to maintain your mental health.
- Go for a walk
You can help your mental health, taking short walks around your apartment. Brisk walking is known to improve mood and it can help you reach your weight loss goals as well. So take ten minutes daily to walk or try some new workout moves at your home, especially if you live with depression.
- Make time to meditate
Meditation can provide you that inner peace that you need to fight the feelings of loneliness and sadness so whenever you want to achieve that sense of balance and calm, meditate for a few minutes. There a are a lot of guided meditation techniques you can find on internet.
What is depression?
According to the American Psychiatric Association 1 in 15 people suffer from this mental disease. This health condition makes people feel sad, tired with a lack of interest in activities they previously loved. Ultimately, this disease can affect their day by day functioning, having a negative affect on the way people think, feel or act. The most common depression symptoms are: loss of energy, loss of appetite, trouble sleeping, feelings of sadness, anxiety, hopelessness. If these symptoms persist for more than 2 weeks, you might be diagnosed with an episode of depression.
How to cope
Although each case is different, in the event of having depression you need medication and different types of therapy. A healthcare professional can help you find what works best for you.
In conclusion, although working from home is something that most people enjoy, this situation might not be a perfect fit for everyone. There are people that function better when they are surrounded by colleagues or when they work in a social environment. So if you experience sadness during teleworking, you might need to reconsider your work conditions or reach out for support. People with depression can live happy healthy lives if they receive the right treatment.
