Feeling stressed while working from home? Here are 3 ways to cope with them.

GeneralSeptember 22, 2020 16:41

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels

 

Written by Max Loong, Assistant Marketing Manager - Reeracoen Singapore 

The current COVID-19 pandemic can be described as the largest experiment in remote working, where it inevitably pushed employers to adopt flexible working arrangements. While 9 in 10 Singaporean employees prefer having the option to work from home (WFH) in the long run, many of them are increasingly facing stress working from home.

A survey done by US Health services company Cigna, found that 63% of respondents in Singapore said they suffered from work-related stress in April, versus 58% in January, before the Circuit Breaker measures were imposed.

This is consistent with another study done by the National University Health System Mind Science Centre (NUHS MSC) in partnership with iamaccb (I am A Community Care Buddy) website showed that more than 60% of those who were working from home (WFH) reported feeling stressed at work.

 

Common issues that lead to workplace stress and mental health issues

  • Lack of Social Interaction

Although with the convenience of remote communication channels, opportunities for casual conversations with people tend to be lesser than usual when working apart. The lack of face-to-face interactions can cause some to feel a sense of loneliness.

  • The blurring of Work-Life balance

Sometimes it is hard to draw the line between work and life when spending time working at an individual’s personal space. It is even more so for those juggling work with family commitments, where one might think he/she is under compensating time spent on work – thus leading to working longer hours. This lack of role clarity may create anxiety and burnout for the individual.

In addition, WFH arrangements also created an “always-on” work culture in Singapore where managers assume that staff is able to work at any time of the day since their laptops are within reach. This assumption and practice are mentally unhealthy, and destructive to an individual’s personal life.

 

What to do to manage stress

While we expect WFH arrangements to continue on for a while, here are some 3 ways you can adopt to manage stress levels and live happier.

  • Set out expectations with your superiors

With many different tasks on hand, it is crucial for you to first identify what is expected of you. The only for you to do that is to have a face-to-face conversation with your superior about the expectations and timelines now that you are working from home. Do not be afraid to voice what works for you and establish boundaries that allow you to function better from home. For all you know, many of your colleagues are facing the same challenges yet do not speak up.

For supervisors, it is certainly understandable to be concerned about staff productivity and performance, but try to take account of your staff’s well-being as well. Understanding where your subordinates are coming from, what constraints they face, and how they can work more effectively, might create new win-win arrangements. Some of the happiest, most engaged teams are also the most productive.

  • Creating Routines and Boundaries

If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Similar to managing expectations with your manager, you will need to manage expectations with yourself too. This is important so that you can create boundaries to know when to allocate your focus on work and life. Create a routine that you can follow regularly, take some time for trial-and-error, and find out what works best for you. If possible, write down a to-do list for your tasks that you need to accomplish on a daily/weekly/monthly basis. There is nothing better as a stress reliever than a completed to-do list.

  • Make time for social interaction

We, humans, are social creatures who benefit from love, attention, support, and comfort. Stay connected with people, try to use technology not just for work but to stay in touch with family and friends.

In fact, my colleagues and I try to organise online party gaming sessions via video calls during lunch breaks while working from home.

If you live alone, you can join local online groups through social media channels (Facebook, Instagram) to interact with your neighbours. Some people have learned about new deals and tried new restaurants based on their neighbours’ recommendations. Who knows what you might discover?

 

Conclusion

Do not be afraid to reach out for help when things get tough. You do not need to face these concerns alone. The National Care Hotline (6202-6868) offers emotional support to those feeling stressed and worried about COVID-19. It is operated by over 300 trained workers from over 50 agencies and organisations.

As remote working becomes the new standard, remember to care of yourself and look out for your fellow peers so that you can work through these changes with empathy and compassion.

Putting our mental wellbeing first will help us make the most out of working from home.