Professional March 2021

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

Ways to prioritise your wellbeing while working from home

Dr Tracy Brower, PhD sociologist and principal with Steelcase’s Applied Research + Consulting , outlines strategies

W orking from home affects us all differently and no two employees will have the same experience – which can make it difficult to know how to improve your own situation. With millions in the UK working from home, it is more essential than ever to prioritise wellbeing. From managing motivation and mood to lack of social interaction and a blurring work/ life balance – working remotely during a global pandemic is not easy. Through extensive research and an ongoing dialogue with employees, Steelcase has developed strategies for both employers and employees to put wellbeing into focus (http://bit.ly/37wlkXo).. Maintain meaning and connection It can be easy to feel untethered and lost in the current working climate. With such significant global events taking place, there is a risk that work can begin to feel less meaningful. When individuals lose their sense of purpose, they typically experience reduced productivity and engagement as well as a loss of happiness and wellbeing. Business leaders need to make sure that employees feel their work has value and facilitate meaningful interactions between individuals and teams to boost motivation and energy levels. The transition from seeing colleagues every day to working alone can be jarring. Our social circles have gotten smaller, and while we may still be communicating with primary contacts, we’re missing out on the

secondary and tertiary networks of people with whom it’s easier to connect in the office. It’s important to stay connected. Social touchpoints – which can even be as simple as sharing a coffee over video call – help to keep us present and stave off loneliness. Science and self-awareness Self-awareness and reflection are critical skills in maintaining good mental health. Based on brain science, we know reactions like anxiety, loneliness or anger are natural and driven by chemical responses. In fact, the brain processes change in a similar way to grief and loss, and people experience these in unique ways. By registering early symptoms of stress or anxiety, people can take steps to counteract these feelings before they become overwhelmed. Develop strategies to detect and diffuse your potential stressors as early as possible – and reach out to support colleagues as well.

posture’. In addition to activity, equipping people with the right tools is also important for physical wellbeing. Whether employees are in the workplace or at home, tools such as an ergonomic chair, separate keyboard and mouse, and additional monitor are some of the necessities for maximising work processes. Without these tools, employees can suffer from neck strain, lumbar problems, and other injuries. Performance over presence Unfortunately, remote working can be an obstacle to transparency, an important characteristic of success. Trust plays an important role here, and employers need to create a climate in which employees feel empowered to work autonomously. It is also helpful to ensure clarity about performance expectations and what will be necessary for success or productivity. This is critical in helping teams to measure the quality of their work, rather than the hours they spend on it. Work/life navigation can also be a challenge with remote work. The longer we work at home, the more the lines between work and home blur – which can make it difficult to turn off at the end of the work-day. To reinforce these boundaries, create physical separations between ‘home’ and ‘work’ spaces where possible, both visually and acoustically. This separation will significantly contribute to wellbeing. Overall, the pandemic has caused obstacles for wellbeing, but it is possible to thrive. Our lessons learned through the pandemic can help us grow and improve over time. n

Thinking physical Along with mental health, physical

wellbeing is also at risk while we can’t be in the office. According to one study, those working from home sit for an extra two hours on average, compared with those working in an office. While it can be difficult to remember to get up and move throughout the day, try scheduling movement whenever you can. In addition, change postures as much as possible. Remember, ‘Your best posture is your next

...detect and diffuse your potential stressors as early as possible – and reach out to support colleagues...

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| Professional in Payroll, Pensions and Reward |

Issue 68 | March 2021

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