Remote working isn’t for everyone and can take a little getting used to. Feeling isolated working from home is normal, especially if you enjoy the hustle and bustle of a busy office.
We’ve compiled a list of our top 10 tips to help you beat the blues and to make the most of your WFH situation.
So take a look below to find out how you can help yourself, support others and build a stronger team.
Just because you’re not physically present, it doesn’t mean you can’t still be one big happy family!
1- Meet in Person
As part of your role, you’ll probably be expected to take part in regular meetings and performance updates. When most of the team are working remotely, this usually happens by means of a video conference.
Virtual meetings do the job and can save you heaps of time travelling to a central point. But meeting in person can really help to alleviate the feeling of isolation whilst you’re working from home.
Speak to your boss and co-workers to see if you can meet in person as well as virtually. Even once a month can make a difference.
2 – Keep in Touch
Aside from planned meetings, there may be times when you need a little extra support. Ideally, there should be a system in place for keeping in touch and you should have a clear idea of who is available and when.
Speak to your boss if you’re not sure and speak up if you’re feeling low. Suggest ideas of how you think you could make things better (send a link to this blog) or look for solutions together if you’re finding things difficult.
Keep in touch with your work buddies as well. Share your successes as well as asking for support if you’re struggling. Always remember that although you’re not physically present, you’re still part of the same team.
3 – Online Collaboration
There’s a growing choice of providers offering online collaboration packages. These allow organisations to stay in touch and keep connected. Microsoft Teams is one of the better known platforms, but there are heaps more out there.
As well as facilitating virtual meetings, these platforms are great for screen and document sharing, group projects, chat rooms, training facilities, group calls and file storage.
This way you can still work together in real time without being in the same room. You can also see who’s available if you need to contact a manager for example. Plus you can have a good natter in your coffee break.
4 – Be a Mentor
There’s a good chance you’re not the only person finding it challenging working from home. Reach out to your co-workers and ask if anyone else is finding it lonely being away from the team.
Look for ways to offer support to others. Perhaps a new employee or one with less experience than you could use a little extra help here and there. Maybe an end of day call to plan for tomorrow or to let off some steam. Or simply by letting a colleague know that you’re just a phone call away if things get tough.
Helping others can be a great way to strengthen your work bonds. It can also do wonders for the self-esteem when you can give something back and feel good about yourself.
5 – Working Together
If you have a colleague living nearby, why not organise some time at each other’s homes to work together one or 2 days a week. Take it in turns to break up your week and get a change of scene.
Or if you don’t have a colleague nearby, why not work with a friend. Again, you could alternate between home offices so you both benefit from getting out and about. Just be sure to stay focused and use your time together for work. You can catch up on all the latest goss or plan your holiday in your break time or after work.
If you don’t have the appropriate facilities or workstation set up, find out what other resources are available locally. Perhaps you could meet at the library for a couple of hours instead.
6 – Make Some Noise
Generally, one of the bonuses of working from home is that you have more control over your environment. (This of course depends on who you share your space with.)
So if you find that things are just too quiet, listen to some background music. Search for music for…art, brain power, concentration, drawing, energy boost and so on. Use headphones if you’re worried about disturbing others around you.
Likewise, if things are too noisy at home, listening to background music through headphones is a great way to zone out and stay on task.
7 – Guided Meditation
You could also try listening to guided meditations if you’re feeling alone and isolated. When you first get up, listen to a short meditation for positivity or motivation. This should get you in a good frame of mind to start off your day.
Use your break times as well. Search for guided meditations for…assertiveness, better memory, confidence, decision making, entrepreneurs, or whatever else might be fitting to you personally. Or take 5 if work anxiety and stress become overwhelming.
Practised regularly, meditation has many benefits to us – physically, mentally and emotionally.
8 – Get Out at Break Time
If it’s just you indoors, get out and about when you can to remind yourself what other people look like. If you share your space with people not conducive to productivity, get out and about when you can to get away and clear your head.
Either way, getting some fresh air whilst taking a gentle (or brisk) walk, away from your desk is good for you physically and mentally, so do it if you are able.
Not only will it get your oxygen and blood pumping, thus avoiding the afternoon slump, it’ll improve your productivity and motivation. Plus you’ll be adding some steps to your daily total whilst you’re at it.
9 – Socialise
Enjoying a social life with colleagues can be difficult – or seemingly impossible – when you’re miles apart. But it doesn’t mean you can’t spend time and have fun together outside of office hours.
There’s a social element to the many online collaboration platforms. Or if you can’t use the work package for personal means, choose a different one for leisure time.
Organise activities such as an online escape room, quiz night, bingo, book club and so on. Or simply get together after hours where you can enjoy a cup of tea and a doughnut together. Or a glass of wine. Or 2. Then maybe some karaoke.
10 – Nearest and Dearest
Never under-estimate the importance of a strong support network.
Having friends and family to spend time with after a good or bad day is a great way of celebrating your achievements, or to get things in perspective if you’ve had a shocker.
The work-life balance is key to good mental and emotional health, whether you’re working from home or are based in the office.
So remind yourself that there’s more to life than work, and be sure to enjoy your free time with the ones you love.
Final Thoughts on Feeling Isolated Working From Home
On the one hand, you may be enjoying the many benefits of remote working…saving time and money on travel, being in the comfort of your own home, spending all day in your PJs. But on the other, you might also be feeling isolated working from home.
If this is the case, consider the points we covered above and find the ways that work for you to feel less lonely.
Keep the lines of communication open with your colleagues. Take an active role in online meetings and see if there’s a way you can occasionally get together physically – either for business or social.
Try out some of the many platforms for online collaboration to share work projects. Or organise out of hours activities for team building and to add a little fun to the mix.
See if you can support others who may be strugging with working from home. If you have a colleague or friend nearby, see if you can buddy up with them for some home working and a change of scene. At the very least, get out and about to break up your day where you can.
Use music for background noise. Or use guided meditation for calm, mental clarity and more.
Perhaps most importantly, make sure you have a good work-life balance. Do what you can to be happier in work time. But also allow yourself to switch off and enjoy your time outside of work. These points are essential for both mental and emotional health and wellbeing.
How do you find working from home? What tips do you have for being part of a happy, successful team? Have you been caught on a Zoom meeting in your PJs? Drop us a comment in the box below or email jane@standingdeskuk.com.
