A Balancing Act: Remote Work & Mental Health
Mental health is slowly becoming less and less taboo in this modern world, especially in the workplace. Most employees feel like they need to put a mask on at work and act like everything’s okay, even when they’re struggling. What happens when mental health is unaddressed in the workplace? Consequences like decreased productivity, low morale, and even burnout arise.
This problem got worse during the COVID-19 pandemic, as most businesses switched to remote work. This switch was vital to keep companies running, but it took a toll on many employees’ mental health. And, today, it’s clear that for many companies, the remote work life isn’t going anywhere. This article will review the importance of mental health during remote work and how therapists can take care of their own mental state, as well as others in the workforce.
The Transition to Remote Work
We, humans, are comfortable creatures that often dislike change, and thus the transition to remote work has been a difficult adjustment. Your home is your safe space and where you usually unwind, but now there’s this crippling pressure to be productive and get things done. Besides naturally increasing employees’ stress levels, daily tasks can get more challenging for those already struggling with mental health conditions.
Wait! You Don’t Have A Therapist Website Yet?
Brighter Vision is the ultimate marketing package for therapists, centered around the best therapist website you’ve ever had. Contact us today to get started.
Other Mental Health Issues That Arise From Remote Work
Besides stress and anxiety, new mental health issues may arise due to remote work, including:
- Social isolation: Although your company probably encourages meetings via Zoom and team discussions, it’s easy to feel isolated from your colleagues. Loneliness and isolation are feelings that demotivate us and lead to poor-quality work.
- Lack of work/life balance: Where do you draw the line between the workplace and somewhere to unwind when both are at home? Mixing work and personal space can lead to anxiety and even depression.
- Difficulty disconnecting from work: It can be difficult to disconnect from your work chores when you’re still in the office at the end of the day.
What is Burnout and How It Affects The Workforce
Burnout is a dangerous state in which workers are physical, mental, and emotionally exhausted. It mostly occurs due to work stress and the issues listed above. Burnout leads to a productivity decrease and absenteeism, which results in underachieving the company’s KPIs and slow growth.
Employees are at the very core of any corporation; thus, mental health preservation is vital to avoid burnout and poor results. These are some of the most common burnout symptoms to look out for:
- Feeling sad and disconnected
- Feeling overwhelmed by work and tasks
- Losing interest in your work
- Losing interest in socialization and colleagues
- Physical symptoms like fatigue or headaches
So, as therapists, what can be done to reach these professionals, in turn, fueling the workforce?
Remote Therapy to Improve Mental Health
The best way to prevent – and treat, if necessary – mental health conditions is therapy. Seeking therapy used to be taboo, but now it’s becoming common and acceptable. Therapists don’t only treat those with concerning conditions but anyone who needs guidance and help. Everyone undergoes stressful and painful situations, especially now with remote work and social isolation, and sometimes you can’t solve them on your own.
Counseling brings many benefits, both personal and business-related.
Ready to start preparing for your first telehealth session?
Download your free checklist:
Ways In Which Therapy Can Help Professional Mental Health
1) Self-esteem and Autonomy
It’s easy for employees to lose their identity in a large company. They may feel like they’ve become a link chain instead of a human being, and that thought may lower their self-esteem.
Encouraging professionals to accept and appreciate themselves is the first step towards them doing a great job. A therapist can help them see the good in themselves and how to improve not-so-good skills.
2) Better Relationships
If you struggle with mental health issues, you know they can affect your relationships and isolate you. Therapy can give perspective, empathy, and mechanisms to let others know someone is struggling but still care about your bonds.
3) Coping Strategies
Sometimes life gets in the way of goals, and that’s okay. But when it does, people need coping strategies to get ahead of lumps and make the most out of their days. Therapy will provide different techniques and reasoning to beat obstacles.
Business Benefits
1) More Healthy Productivity
Note the word healthy preceding productivity. The modern fast-paced world demands productivity and results at all costs, even when that leads to burnout.
Therapy shows people how to manage stress, disconnect from work, and reconnect with themselves. Only then can they give their best to the corporation they work for. This in itself provides a strong business case for why companies should provide mental health services, or health insurance that covers such, to their employees.
2) Team Communication and Cooperation
It’s only natural to disagree with colleagues now and then. What’s not so normal is to get into fights and discussions over things that one could talk themselves out of.
A therapist can guide people through the process of learning negotiation and conflict resolution skills. Once they implement them in their everyday life and workplace, tensions will decrease, and thus everyone will get better results.
3) Burnout Prevention
As mentioned multiple times throughout this article, burnout is one of the main causes that drag companies and slow growth. Both employees and managers need to acknowledge it and learn to deal with symptoms, whether taking a few days off or reducing the workload.
Other Lifestyle Changes Besides Therapy
Although therapy sessions are crucial to boosting mental health and productivity, they’re not incompatible with implementing tiny changes here and there that will improve mood and recharge batteries. I’m sure you’ve heard of the holy trinity of healthy habits: Sleep, physical activity, and clean nutrition. Although it sounds cliched, there’s a good reason behind the recommendation.
The Bottom Line
Remote work can lead to social isolation, feelings of loneliness, and mental health struggles. That’s why it’s essential for companies and their employees to remain mentally healthy during times like the pandemic. Not only will it make everyone happier and more productive, but it will also boost their results. That’s where you, the therapist, come in. Working professionals now need you and your services more than ever.
About the Author
Kieran is Growth Marketing Manager at Qualio, a leading provider of a quality management system to the life science industry.
Want the beautiful therapist website you deserve? Then you’re in the perfect place.
Brighter Vision is the ultimate marketing package for therapists, centered around the best therapist website you’ve ever had. Fill out the form below to learn more about our team of professionals who can’t wait to help your practice grow like never before 🙂