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Has the pandemic gotten to you? Do you feel lonely, unproductive or burnt out? Don’t worry! You’re not alone. What exactly are the cons of working from home? Many people have heard of the pros, especially from an employer, but we’re living with the cons. The Employee Revolution understands. Sometimes it’s not easy to get up and be productive. But why? Read on to answer that question, and learn the five cons of working from home! And stick around, because we’re giving some solutions, too!
It’s no secret that humans are social creatures. People need connections, even “weak-ties.” Relationships like the mail person coming every day, the waiter at the restaurant you frequent, or even a stranger you strike up a conversation with. We also need “strong-ties,” relationships we have with family members and friends. When isolated at home, you lose some of these connections. No more talking to the friendly stranger in the supermarket or watercooler talks with your favorite coworker. We’re all sequestered in our homes instead of our cubicles in the same office. And if you do see your strong-tie connections, it’s on a screen, and they’re about 6 inches tall. Humans need social interaction, and in quarantine, we’ve lost the in-person bonds we used to have.
What To Do About It:
If you’re feeling isolated, call a friend or family member! Schedule a socially distanced hang out with them to ease the lonely feelings we may face.
We spend so much time in our homes. You spend time decorating it, making it your own, and… wait, is that picture crooked? Did I feed my cats this morning? If I did, why is she meowing so loud right now? And, of course, if you live with family members or a roommate, there’s no telling what they’re up to. If you’re in a meeting, they could be doing something else like listening to music, talking on the phone, or worse! In an office space, everyone is working on the same task. At home, everyone’s doing their own thing. You need to take care of your kids and pets, all while everyone is doing different things in different rooms! The lack of control makes it hard to focus on the task at hand.
What To Do About It:
If you’re feeling distracted or overwhelmed, there’s no shame in leaving your workspace to take a walk. Get some fresh air and come back, relaxed.
Picture this: you have a 9 to 5 job. 4:59 comes, and the clock strikes 5. You clock out, drive home, and immediately jump into your big, comfy bed that you’ve been dreaming of all day. While working remotely, you don’t get to clock out and have that relief. Your productivity may lower because you’re already in the relief place. It may be hard to find motivation at home when your bed is constantly calling for you. It’s also hard to find motivation when you’re not in the traditional office.
What To Do About It:
Try to keep your home and workspace different. Section off a piece of your house or even just a room as a designated workspace. You can also make a to-do list to make sure you’re on-task; this way, you’ll know what you have to do.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, a new pandemic arose. A silent pandemic among the employed and the unemployed alike. This new pandemic is a significant mental health crisis. Job loss, isolation, COVID paranoia, schools closing, and moving have put many people down. A recent study has found anxiety and depression are on the rise in adults of all ages. During these depressive episodes, productivity can go down. If production goes down, your boss can get mad. If your boss gets angry, the cycle of depression perpetuates. Anxiety is also on the rise since we live in a world where a deadly illness can infect anyone. Quarantining and working from home only prolong these mental health drops. As stated before, humans are social creatures and need socialization in some capacity. When all you have is a job to do and no social interaction, it’s no wonder that a new mental health crisis has appeared.
What To Do About It:
Don’t be afraid to reach out to someone. Remember, you’re not alone, and you’re not a burden.
Since the dawn of humankind, “what if” is a question almost every culture has asked. Oracles, mediums, psychics, magic 8 balls, Zoltar… We always want to know what’s happening next. And during COVID times, we don’t know what will happen next. Tomorrow we could wake up and discover this was all a dream à la The Wizard of Oz. More likely, we’ll still be in quarantine. Many clients will still want to meet in person in quarantine, but a study finds 40% of employees won’t want to even if sanctions are lifted. This mindset ties in with the mental health crisis. Constantly wondering and worrying about what happens to the world damages productivity.
What To Do About It:
If you’re stressed about the future, try and ground yourself in the present. Meditation, yoga, and journaling all help people stay in the moment.
COVID-19 has changed the world and isn’t going anywhere for the foreseeable future. Humanity is an adaptable race, so focus on the light at the end of the tunnel, even if it seems there isn’t one. The Employee Revolution aims to help you through this challenging time. To learn more, check out our blog page!
And remember, if you are experiencing any negative thoughts, don’t be afraid to reach out to anyone. This can be a friend, family member, or mental health professional.
Have a Super Day!