Does working remotely affect your mental health?

7 Comments

1. AnonymousFebruary 1,2024 at 2:38PM UTC

   There are pros and cons to working remotely.

   I do find that it can negatively impact my mental health because of how lonely/isolating it can get not having consistent in-person interactions. I’ve also found it challenging to separate my work life from my home life. So your feelings are definitely valid. I would speak to your manager, or a close colleague, or mentor on finding strategies to manage your imposter syndrome.

2. AnonymousFebruary 1,2024 at 3:05PM UTC

   I am a social person generally, so I find remote work exacerbates my depression. I went from working at a place close enough to walk to work and then left to finish my doctorate and working remotely as a graduate assistant. I am now in a position where I cannot drive due to my health, so I am stuck with either being driven to work by my spouse (which requires a short commute), relocating to a walkable distance, or finding jobs near public transportation. Having the social element to work and the ability to "change the scenery" once or twice a day benefits mental health in many people. If you cannot gain this through work, try finding alternative methods of socializing that would fill that purpose. Join a support group. Take an art class. Join a choir. Anything that gets you out of the house and near people you can connect with.

3. AnonymousFebruary 1,2024 at 3:11PM UTC

   I have been working from home since before it was "cool"...20+ years. There is no way in hell I could go back into a physical office every day and not have it negatively affect my mental health.

4. AnonymousFebruary 1,2024 at 4:44PM UTC

   I’m sorry to hear that your imposter syndrome has been getting worse. I also work from home and have also dealt with imposter syndrome recently. It helped me to learn that tons of people deal with imposter syndrome! And working from home can feel isolating but I do think there are ways to connect better with your manager and coworkers in an online setting. I found a few things that have helped me deal with imposter syndrome. Hopefully this helps!

   If your manager is not having regular 1-on-1’s with you, politely ask for feedback. It’s best to set up some time with your manager and prepare a few questions. My manager has monthly 1-on-1’s on his team’s calendars and even though we don’t talk about big things every month, it’s good to catch up and it gives us a chance to bring anything up if there’s an issue. This also helps me feel reassured that if there was an issue, he’d bring it up with me. Also, my manager and I try to have cameras on for these meetings because it’s easier to connect when you can see facial expressions.

   It might be helpful to see what mental health resources your company offers. The company I work for partners with a mental health provider so I recently started seeing a therapist online. I’ve specifically spoken to my therapist about imposter syndrome and this has helped tremendously. It turns out, my anxiety brain is searching for “proof” that I’m not good enough. This is so common and you can overcome this!

   Hang in there! I hope you have a supportive manager and good resources for mental health. If your company does not have good resources, try reaching out to some friends or family or reach out here! Just talking about it can help.

5. Barb HansenFebruary 1,2024 at 4:46PM UTC

   Last night I had one of those "I didn't study for the math test" dreams but it wasn't about a math test it was about my job.
   Argh!

   I have been doing my job (product in the tech space) for over 25 years, and for most of that time, I've worked remote. I know what I'm doing and if I don't know something I know I can either figure it out or find the person who does know. I'm completely secure in my career...

   ... and yet, occasionally, my imposter creeps in. It took me years to figure out that that "you are an imposter" voice in my head wasn't a true reflection of my talents, and I found tactics that worked for me to squash that voice.

   Imposter syndrome can sneak in anywhere (working remotely or in-office), find the tactics that help you deal with that voice in your head.

6. AnonymousFebruary 1,2024 at 6:17PM UTC

   Anything can affect someone's mental health, we aren't all created equal. If you feel it affects you, IMO your next steps is how to stop feeling that way. Root causes? Is it really due to being remote? Is it too much freedom in your role, or do you like to be held more tightly accountable? I say it like that, as in roles I have people who are self-driven that come from roles where their leader knew daily what they were working on due to that position and now they transitioned over to a very highly self-driven role of responsibility and had to adjust to working more independently and providing those results of their efforts. It can be an adjustment.

7. Shannon WrightFebruary 2,2024 at 2:06PM UTC

   I have been remote for 2 years at a job I actually enjoy. However, I've gained 40lbs, I am very unhealthy, my mental health is taking a beating and I can't stop the bleeding. I wear joggers every day and due to my weight gain it's the only thing I'm truly comfortable in. I have the good sense to be embarrassed on occasion but don't do anything about it so yes. My being remote is effecting my mental health