Remote working in Australia has increased over the past few years with more people choosing this work setup. While there are numerous benefits to this style of working, many remote workers do struggle with isolation and loneliness. Handling this challenge takes effort but it’s worthwhile if you value your physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.
Joining group fitness classes Sydney gyms offer local residents is one way of connecting with other people when you’re not working. Meeting up with co-workers online allows you to engage with colleagues while minimising isolation. Keep reading as we share even more ways you can avoid feeling lonely and disconnected when working from home.
7 Ways to Avoid Isolation and Loneliness When Working From Home
1. Join the Local Gym
Exercise is vital if you want to stay fit and healthy but it also releases endorphins which help to boost your mood while reducing stress and anxiety. Joining the local gym is an excellent way of achieving your fitness goals while connecting with other people on a social level.
Now, don’t simply get on the treadmill! Improve the outcomes even more by making it easy to engage with others! Going to group fitness classes every day for an hour helps to reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation as well.
Look out for gyms that offer boot camps, group Pilates, yoga sessions or outdoor classes so you can change up your fitness routine to keep it interesting.
2. Find a Place to Work Outside of Your Home
Finding a place to work outside of your home once or twice a week gives you a change of scenery and a chance to connect with other people. Look for a local eatery that allows you to work in peace while still enjoying the hustle and bustle of the foot traffic. Another option is to find a coworking space near you that you can use occasionally whenever you’re feeling lonely.
Tip: Speak to your employer about offering remote workers a coworking stipend so you don’t have to cover the costs of using these facilities.
3. Use Video Conferencing to Stay Connected
If you’re working as part of a team but don’t get to see your colleagues often, arrange video conferencing calls regularly to stay connected. Instead of using email to communicate with your team all the time, slot in a video call. After all, video calls are excellent for brainstorming sessions and as a bonus they help to keep isolation at bay.
Video calls can be used to connect with friends and family too so don’t discount the benefits of using virtual meetings of all kinds to reduce loneliness and isolation.
4. Plan Social Get-Togethers With Other Remote Workers
Social connection helps people to cope better and is good for overall mental and emotional wellness while improving the quality of life for remote workers. Therefore, start a social get-together with other remote workers in your area or with colleagues in the same predicament as you. Organising social gatherings a couple of times during the month gives you something to look forward to and helps to reduce feeling isolated.
5. Plan to Get Out After Work
Planning to get out after a day’s work helps you to feel part of the community. Make plans to meet up with friends or family during the week or find the local quiz night being played in a community hall or restaurant.
After-work appointments allow you to break the tedium that comes with working alone. It’s equally important to organise activities away from home on the weekends. Plan to go on a hike with your friends or take up a team game at the local sports club.
6. Take Advantage of Flexible Schedules
Remote working often comes with flexible schedules, giving you the freedom to get out of the house during the day. Take a stroll around the neighbourhood, spend some time surfing the waves or do your grocery shopping at the local supermarket. All of these activities will make you feel better and more positive which will help you feel more energised when it’s time to knuckle down and work!
Changing how you spend your working days can make all the difference to feeling lonely or isolated.
7. Go Into the Office Once a Week
Interacting with co-workers in person is vital for building strong relationships, especially if you want to be considered part of the team in the workplace. If you have the option of going into your office once a week, take up the offer! Spending time with others in a physical workplace allows you to engage face-to-face while reducing the feeling of loneliness.
Many businesses offer their workers hybrid working which lets you spend some days of the week in the office and others at home. Discuss this with your employer if it’s not part of the policy yet.
Final Thoughts
Remote working has many advantages but if you don’t manage it carefully you can become disconnected from others and feel lonely. Whether you decide to join a class for reformer pilates Sydney gyms have to offer or organise social get-togethers with friends, make sure you get out and connect with other people. It’s essential for your overall wellbeing and improves your level of productivity.