Most people want to work from home at least some of the time. And we widely celebrate this brave new world of flexible working as, perhaps, the only really good thing Covid left us with.
Make no mistake. I love hybrid and flexible working and I’m a big fan of letting people choose both when and from where work when feasible.
But while we celebrate the perks of work from home, sometimes we forget that it isn’t all good for everyone.
In fact, some people find the experience of working from home quite isolating. I would imagine this is more likely the case when you’ve previously been used to working in an environment that’s busy and bustling. Or perhaps those who live alone and who now find themselves working alone too.
We spoke to some people who’ve found themselves feeling loneliness or isolation at points as the result of working from home so frequently and we asked them how they overcome these feelings.
Derek Hathaway, Sales Director
He acknowledges the positives and negatives of working from home and shares coping techniques for dealing with loneliness.
“During COVID, I worked from home, and now I do hybrid work. I would say that I have witnessed both the advantages and disadvantages of working from home. I benefited from flexibility and having more free time because I didn’t have to commute to work every day. Due to lower expenses, I was also able to save some money.
Working from home, though, had a detrimental effect on me as well. I started to feel alone as I had fewer personal relationships with my coworkers at the office. Due to boredom at home, I also noticed a decline in my mental health. The distractions at home were one of my biggest problems. I was unable to concentrate well.
Here are some strategies I used to stay alive when working from home:
Developing a routine I created a regular daily routine with breaks and allotted time for leisurely activities or social engagements.
Maintaining regular contact with employees through virtual meetings, instant messaging, or collaborative platforms was something I tried to do.
Joining online communities: In order to interact with like-minded people and have talks, I also took part in online communities or professional organisations linked to my line of work.”
Nicky Walker, Director Responsible for HR
Nicky Walker is a Director at Connect Commununications and is responsible for HR.
Connect Communications was largely home based even before Covid and Nicky continues to see pros and cons:
“Although working from home sounds great on paper, in reality, being around people in an office, having a routine, and getting out of the house every day is actually quite nice. As a company, we were mainly home-based even before Covid, so have plenty of experience in how to deal with the downsides of remote working and looking after your own wellbeing. One of the big negatives is that it can become really hard to switch off from work and end up feeling like you need to be always available and never have any proper downtime.
It’s vital to combat this by being strict about boundaries and when you switch off from work, and to remember to take proper breaks away from the desk.
The single thing I found made a huge difference was simply getting outside the house for at least a little bit of time every day. A short brisk walk at lunchtime works wonders, and I always return to my desk feeling re-energised for the afternoon.
It’s also so easy to feel that you have been forgotten and are missing out on human interaction when working remotely. I’ve found the best way to combat this is to keep up daily communication with the rest of the team. A brief 10-15 minute daily check-in meeting at the start of each day really helps as it’s a chance to see each other at least virtually and keep up to date with what everyone is doing. I also make a point of still socialising with colleagues throughout the day, whether that’s a Zoom coffee date or chatting in the team WhatsApp group. It makes a huge difference to how isolated working from home can feel.”
Larissa Pickens, Digital Publisher
Larissa Pickens is a digital publisher and founder of Repeat Replay. She has applied some real creativity to enhancing her work space in a bid to improve wellbeing. She tells us:
“As the leader of a remote team, finding new and engaging ways to keep both myself and our team motivated is something I pay close attention to. What worked for me was creating a sanctuary that helped me revel in the peace of solitude as opposed to being fixated on loneliness itself.
Creating a sanctuary in your WFH space is essential to beat feelings of isolation and maximize productivity. It’s all about designing an environment that supports your well-being and allows you to embrace solitude in a healthy way.
I decided to play around with lighting, colors, music, and even scents to create a space that would be conducive to productivity. I’ve made a conscious effort to choose warm and soft lighting that creates a cozy and inviting atmosphere. Harsh fluorescent lights simply didn’t cut it for me—they felt draining and impersonal. Instead, I’ve incorporated desk lamps, string lights, and even candles to infuse my workspace with a comforting glow.
Music, being really close to my heart, was obviously the next thing on the list. I carefully curated playlists filled with instrumental music and ambient sounds that help me stay focused and tranquil. Whether it’s classical melodies, soothing nature sounds, or the lo-fi beats that have captured my heart, I’ve found that music has the incredible ability to transport me to a place of deep connection, even when I’m physically alone.
But creating a sanctuary is about more than just the physical aspects. It’s about embracing solitude and finding joy in my own company. Instead of viewing WFH as isolation, I’ve shifted my perspective to see it as an opportunity for self-discovery and personal growth. My workspace has become my haven—a place where I can truly focus, dream, and explore my creativity.”
Brandon Kent, VP
Brandon Kent is Vice President at Telemark Diversified Graphics. He shares what has worked for him in overcoming feelings of isolation when working from home.
“Working remotely has definitely had both positive and negative effects on my well-being. On the positive side, the increased flexibility has allowed me to create a better work-life balance. I have more control over my schedule, which means I can fit in personal commitments and take breaks when needed. Additionally, I save time on commuting, which has reduced stress and given me more time for relaxation or pursuing hobbies.
However, one of the challenges I faced while working remotely was the feeling of loneliness and isolation. It can be quite different from working in a bustling office environment with colleagues around. To overcome these feelings, I have found a few strategies to be helpful:
Maintaining regular communication: I make sure to stay connected with my team through frequent video calls, instant messaging platforms, and email. We have regular check-ins to discuss work-related matters and even engage in casual conversations to foster a sense of camaraderie.
Virtual social interactions: To replicate the social aspect of the workplace, my colleagues and I organize virtual coffee breaks or lunch meetings. We catch up on non-work topics, share personal experiences, and have some virtual fun, such as playing online games or participating in virtual team-building activities.
Joining virtual communities: I actively participate in online communities and professional networks related to my industry. This allows me to engage in discussions, share insights, and connect with like-minded professionals who are also working remotely. These communities provide a sense of belonging and help combat isolation.
Setting boundaries and creating a dedicated workspace: It’s important to establish clear boundaries between work and personal life when working remotely. I have designated a specific area in my home as my workspace, which helps me mentally transition into work mode. Having a separate space also minimizes distractions and improves focus.
Taking breaks and practicing self-care: Loneliness and isolation can sometimes lead to decreased motivation and productivity. To counteract this, I make sure to take regular breaks and engage in activities that promote well-being. Going for a walk, practicing mindfulness or meditation, and pursuing hobbies outside of work all contribute to a more balanced and fulfilling work-from-home experience.
These strategies have proven to be effective in overcoming feelings of loneliness and isolation while working remotely. They have helped me stay connected with colleagues, maintain a sense of community, and prioritise self-care. I hope these tips can be helpful to others as well.
Darren Shafae, Founder
Darren Shafae is the founder of Resume Blaze. He freely admits that he found the transition to WFH a challenge and shares some of his coping methods:
I think by now we can all agree that the transition to working from home and remotely has been a challenge. It is not easy to go from going into an office environment where there is more interaction and resources available to you, to having to work independently from home and relying solely on yourself.
The positives that come with this change are largely related to the flexibility of your schedule. Remote working allows for more freedom in terms of when and how you work, mainly because the time you should have spent preparing to go to work and commuting/driving to your workplace is eliminated. Traffic is no longer an issue, for instance, and you can use the time that was previously occupied by travel for more productive activities, perhaps more time to actually rest or mentally prepare yourself for the day. Similarly, many remote workers have reported being able to save not just their time, but also their money since there are fewer expenses related to commuting or buying food when in the office.
But along with the positives, there are also challenges that come with a WFH setup. The lack of resources and interaction can become a burden in terms of productivity, motivation, and even mental wellbeing. If workdays only look the same, with no variation in terms of location or people you interact with, it can result in feelings of isolation and loneliness. There’s no room for employees to josh around or discuss current events and share in-person conversations. This lack of contact with others can lead to an increase in stress levels since it can be difficult to address issues that may come up without the support you were used to having on-site.
To overcome feelings of isolation, I recommend making the most out of digital communication tools, such as video conferencing or instant messaging. Set up social hour meetings with your colleagues at least once a week that don’t involve any work topics whatsoever and allow yourselves to chat about whatever you like. Some companies have also stepped up to provide a platform for their remote employees to connect and mingle with each other, introducing digital lunch and coffee fellowships, as well as virtual office hours for employees to come together and discuss any topics they like.
I’d also like to stress the importance to maintaining a pretty active schedule. You may think that working remotely gives you more time to rest and relax, but in reality this can lead to burnout or mental fatigue as you don’t have enough variation in your daily routine. Going out for a walk or exercising can be beneficial to combat stagnation from staring at the same screen day after day. Healthwise, physical movement promotes better circulation, which aids in the production of endorphins that help keep us positive, and helps keep our bones and muscles strong as we age.”
Isolation Can Affect Anyone
It’s not just people in certain job roles or people living alone who can be affected by feelings of loneliness and isolation when working from home. It can impact absolutely anyone.
If you are impacted, some of the tips from our contributors here may be useful. But as ever, if you’re struggling with mental health, we’d always recommend speaking to your GP in the first instance or visit Hub of Hope to be pointed in the direction of local mental health charities near you.