There are lots of good things about working from home. For instance, you can wear your pajamas all day, if you want. Yes!

But there are also challenges associated with working from home. It can make some people feel isolated, sad, or lonely. I know that I really enjoy being around other people. So for me, this is a real concern.

So I did a little research on how to make working from home a more enjoyable experience. I didn’t focus on how to be productive at home. I think we already know what that entails. (Basically, you should set regular working hours and stick to them. Make yourself a “to do” list every morning and then make sure to get those things done. And try to avoid distractions.) I was more interested in determining what would make working from home more enjoyable and less lonely. Here’s what I found:

  • Take a walk – If possible, go outside at some point during the day and get some fresh air. Maybe you’d like to sit on your front porch and sip a cup of tea. Or take a walk around your neighborhood. Getting outside will help to alleviate your feelings of isolation and reduce your stress.
  • Get some exercise – Before you start working, after you’re done for the day, or during a work break, try to get some exercise. You could clean up the house, walk up and down your stairs, or do an exercise video. Exercise is a great stress reliever. It will help you to feel more calm and relaxed.
  • Chat with your coworkers online – Of course it’s important to talk to your coworkers about the projects that you’re working on together. But it’s also nice to just chat about the everyday things that are happening in your lives or to share a funny story or joke. Chatting with coworkers can help to make your day feel more fun and less lonely.
  • Make your work space nice – Put a little effort into making your work space feel comforting and homey. Make sure all of your supplies are within arm’s reach, make yourself a snack, and sip a cup of hot coffee. Do whatever feels nice and soothing.
  • Listen to music – When working from home, you don’t need to be quiet. So go ahead and play your favorite music! Or, if it’s not distracting to you, turn on your TV and let it play quietly in the background. Complete silence can sometimes be a little hard to take. Some music or television can help with that.  

Do you have any other suggestions on how to make working from home feel less lonely? Please share your ideas in the Comments section below!

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Turnbull, A. (n.d.). 14 ways our remote team stays sane working from home. Groove. Retrieved from: https://www.groovehq.com/blog/staying-sane-working-solo