{"id":162698,"date":"2020-05-01T07:00:39","date_gmt":"2020-05-01T11:00:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.virtualvocations.com\/blog\/?p=162698"},"modified":"2024-05-17T14:03:07","modified_gmt":"2024-05-17T18:03:07","slug":"combat-remote-work-loneliness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.virtualvocations.com\/blog\/telecommuting-survival\/combat-remote-work-loneliness\/","title":{"rendered":"Combat Remote Work Loneliness With These 5 Strategies"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Updated May 2024<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Working remotely brings the promise of a flexible schedule and work-life balance. However, telecommuting also brings some less pleasant, unintended consequences. One of the most serious issues is remote work loneliness. To be successful, it’s important to nurture your mental health and build social support systems to address the unique challenges of working remotely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A recent study from Perceptyx<\/a> reported that “America\u2019s loneliness crisis is coming to work.” In fact, over 40% of employees reported feeling “very” or “somewhat” lonely at work. These facts \u2014 combined with the continued desire for remote employment opportunities by jobseekers \u2014 provide strong evidence that developing a strategy to combat loneliness and build social support systems for those who work remotely is an important responsibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What is Remote Work Loneliness?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Many people assume loneliness and isolation in remote work arise because people are literally alone. However, the reality is a little more complicated<\/a>. Dr. Cacioppo, an assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral neuroscience at the University of Chicago, defines loneliness as \u201ca state of mind characterized by a dissociation between what an individual wants or expects from a relationship and what that individual experiences in that relationship.\u201d In other words, remote work loneliness is not necessarily caused by a lack of relationships but by a lack of satisfaction in the relationships one has.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This definition has several important implications for remote workers. First, it highlights that being alone may not be responsible for feelings of loneliness and isolation. Second, it indicates that feelings of loneliness may stem from social structures you experienced in a traditional office \u2014 structures that have now changed. Third, it suggests putting effort into current and desired relationships can relieve feelings of loneliness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Who is at Risk?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, there is no checklist of risk factors you can go through to determine if you will become lonely. Loneliness is not directly linked to any demographic factors. In fact, remote workers are not more likely to get lonely than the rest of the population. According to a recent study by the American Psychiatric Association (APA)<\/a>, 30% of adults report experiencing feelings of loneliness at least once a week over the past year, and 10% say they feel lonely every day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is unique about remote workers is that the social support structures available to their office-bound colleagues are not available to them, at least not in the same way. The societal movement toward remote work highlights this lack of support and asks researchers, employers, and entrepreneurs to come up with answers and develop programs and services to fill this gap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Strategies to Develop Social Support Structures and Combat Remote Work Loneliness<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are many ways that remote workers can address and offset the potential negative aspects of working offsite. Dr. Cacioppo advises a comprehensive approach comprising introspection, connection, and interaction. In other words, focusing on your personal mental and physical health, establishing or maintain your professional and personal connections, and ensuring that you engage in positive and meaningful interactions<\/a> with others daily. Below are some practical ways to plan and integrate this approach into your life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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1. <\/strong>Avoid overworking and schedule time for yourself<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This strategy may initially seem counterintuitive. How can I combat loneliness by being alone? However, one of the unintended consequences of remote work is burnout. Newly remote employees can feel grateful to employers for the opportunity to work from home and respond by going above and beyond to prove their commitment and productivity. Working long hours and taking on extra work can cause burnout and exhaustion. When you deplete your physical and mental resources, it is all too easy to succumb to loneliness and other negative feelings.<\/p>\n\n\n