In the next few weeks, we are going to be chatting about working from home and out of the home.
As someone that has experience with both- and community based work as well- I definitely feel like there are pros and cons for our mental health for both types of work.
So I thought it may be fun to talk about it!
So.. let's start out our conversation with some pros of working from home!
Reduced Commute Stress: Eliminating daily commutes saves time and reduces stress, allowing for more time for self-care or relaxation. As someone that used to drive for hours for my work, I will say that less driving means less pain for my back... and less anxiety for me. I tend to be very anxious when I have in person meetings- meaning that sometimes, I will show up 1-2 hours before the meeting is scheduled! With working form home, I can still show up early, but it's usually me sitting on zoom or teams 15 minutes early- and I can work on other things while I wait.
Flexible Schedule: Working from home often allows for more flexible hours, which can help individuals manage their personal responsibilities and optimize their productivity. For me, this translates to picking up the boys on my days (Yuki also picks them up as well)! It can also mean that I can go and help my mom when needed as well.
Comfortable Environment: Being in a familiar and comfortable setting can help reduce anxiety and increase focus. This is definitely a big one for me! My place is not... super organized, but it's comfortable.
But wait... what about some cons of working from home?
Isolation and Loneliness: Lack of social interaction with colleagues can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness. Honestly, this is something that happens to me at times! If I didn't make an effort to reach out, I could go for quite a while without talking to anyone, especially when I'm focused on what I am doing.
Blurring of Work-Life Boundaries: It can be challenging to separate work from personal life, leading to overworking and burnout. This is HUGE for me! There are times where I will notice that I am still working at 9 pm! I sometimes get in trouble from my co-worker/work bestie when this happens. lol
Decreased Motivation: Some individuals may struggle with motivation and productivity in a home environment without the structure of an office. I tend to do better with motivation and productivity when I work from home... BUT this is not the same for everyone! Especially when my boys are home, sometimes, it can be hard to be motivated to do my work.
With these in mind, let's jump into this week's Therapist Mama bear Tip!
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