Living alone and working from home? Here's how to cope
With the current rise of shared workspaces and flexible work arrangements, remote work opportunities have undoubtedly increased in recent years. It's no longer unusual to call home as your 'office,' or even to bring your work with you on vacation. All of sudden, living alone and working from home has become a viable option for some jobseekers.
A recent article by Small Business Trends highlights that, "… hiring managers are predicting more than one-third of employees will work remotely in the next 10 years. But until that time comes, people looking for jobs in 2017 made 'remote/work from home' the fourth most popular job search term of the year." This growing trend is likewise reflected in "The 2017 State of Telecommuting in the US Employee Workforce," which found the number of employees working from home has grown by 115% from 2005 to 2015. The report also found that 40% more US employees have been offered flexible working options in 2017 compared to 2010.
It's certainly an attractive perk. Working from home saves employees time and stress from commuting and improves general productivity, besides reducing air pollution when applied en masse. On the flip side however, working from home might also create feelings of isolation, especially for those who live alone. Working from home is a wonderful luxury, but it can easily lead to overworking if one doesn't enforce clear boundaries and working hours.
If you're one of those who are living alone and working from home, here are five must do's to make sure the isolation doesn't get to you:
1. Play music on a speaker
Some people prefer to work in silence, but if you live alone, you might find it beneficial to play some music on a speaker to create a more conducive work environment. There are innumerable studies available that endorse the effect of music on efficiency, creativity and happiness. In one such study entitledÂ
"The effect of music listening on work performance"
 published in the journal of Psychology of Music, "software developers were found to experience more positive moods, better quality of work and improved efficiency when listening to music."
For more insights into the different types of music recommended for different types of tasks, check out this interestingÂ
 that explores the issue at length. The right playlist can be an instant mood booster, add an energy boost to your work day, and stimulate those creative juices.
2. Arrange meetings on Skype or Google Hangout
If you're craving some social contact, go ahead and set up virtual meetings on Skype or Google Hangout. Living alone gives you the perfect setup for virtual meetings: privacy and complete control of your surroundings. If you are telecommuter, it's also good to check in with your team members regularly and stay updated on the latest office news.
3. Leave the house at least once a day
It's easy to get so engrossed in work that we don't realize we've been sitting at the desk for a solid eight hours. That's the opposite of productive working. Being cooped up inside isn't healthy. Make it a point to leave the house at least once a day, whether to run errands, shop, or work from a cafe for a change.
At the very least, go out for some fresh air and stretch your legs. Sitting in the same position for prolonged periods will cause back problems in the long run.
4. Work out during the day
In a study by Leeds Metropolitan University which examined the influence of daytime exercise among office workers, it was found that on days when employees went to the gym, they were more effective in managing their time at work, experienced higher productivity and had smoother interactions with colleagues besides going home feeling more satisfied (source: Harvard Business Review ).
Working from home gives you the flexibility of starting your work day with an hour at the gym, or perhaps an hour of laps in the pool. Pick an activity that's challenging but fun for you. It will supercharge your energy for the rest of the day.
5. Keep your home fresh and green with potted plants
Besides being natural air purifiers which release a steady stream of fresh oxygen into your air, experimental studies have found that certain plants help to lower blood pressure, boost productivity and attentiveness, and lower anxiety levels, amongst others.
Potted plants will also make your home look fresh and green, which is good for the eyes. The color green is considered to be calming and peaceful as the eye focuses the color green directly on the retina, making it less straining on the eye muscles (source: Art Therapy ).
Working from home requires a certain amount of self-discipline and motivation, but it's also a wonderful privilege that shouldn't be abused or taken for granted, lest it be taken away. That said, it's not for everyone, so if you find it to be too much of a struggle, perhaps you're more suited to working in an office instead. If that's the case, we can help you find the right job for you.
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SEEK Asia is the extension of the Australian Securities Exchange listed company called SEEK. The company's purpose is to help improve people's lives through a better career. SEEK Asia's database consist of over 500,000 corporate hirers and over 24 million candidates.
For more information about this article, or to schedule an interview with JobStreet.com Philippines, please call Monica Palomares, Marketing Specialist, at 286-6222.
