If you are isolated or working from home, you may be experiencing a whole world of new healthcare challenges. After the battering that we all took during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, some extra problems are coming around because the old pattern of leaving home each workday is being increasingly remodeled, and collaborative work is an option rather than the norm.
At first glance, the whole issue seems strange. Why would doing away with annoying and irritating daily routines like commuting in traffic or on crowded public transport, dressing “properly”, and being cooped up in crowded offices be anything that leads to health problems? Anyone proposing this before the pandemic hit would have had a hard time coming up with enough data to support such an argument, but COVID-19 was a perfect incubator for the necessary environment. Numerous studies have been conducted in this “laboratory.” They have highlighted that working from home can have many negative consequences. Just as we have had to take steps to combat the direct consequences of the pandemic, we should be taking the required steps to deal with the other side effects, which are likely to be just as persistent.
People reported that they were suddenly competing with other family members for resources, including workspace, quiet time and other simple aspects of daily life. This is especially the case for working mothers who had the additional burden of coping with remote schooling.
Even though most people working from home are able to bring the required essential equipment, few have an ideal set-up like ergonomic chairs, desks, the extensions of a more “fluid” office.”
This all amounts to heightened stress and anxiety levels, which is terrible for long-term employee well-being and company productivity. So, how can employees overcome it?
What are the main healthcare issues arising from the new work-at-home world?
According to a 2021 survey by the University of Southern California, approximately two-thirds of respondents reported new physical health issues. Nearly three-quarters reported new mental health issues arising directly from the unique situation that they now had to adjust to. “Although it was apparent that the pandemic disrupted our lives in a way that was stressful, we were a bit shocked by the high incidence of new health issues among the home-based workforce so early on in the pandemic.” The most common and persistent problems that have arisen are listed and explained in this table:Problem | Details |
Stress | Across all age groups, high emotional demands lead to stress and physical exhaustion. But this is even more prominent in older workers who have leadership roles since they may not be experienced in managing their people as ‘virtual leaders.’ |
Fatigue | Virtual meetings are the primary communication channel. They replace both structured meetings and informal discussions. In addition to being longer, these meetings can trigger fatigue and leave participants feeling – contrary to expectations – disconnected. The issue is more acute for speakers in meetings with numerous active participants. They cannot see individual reactions and facial expressions, forcing more guesswork and repetition. |
Anxiety | People feel more alone because they lack the usual support they get from colleagues. Physical connection creates a strong support network which is crucial for good mental health. |
Depression | The boundaries between work and personal life are blurred when routines are disrupted, and social contact is lost. Emotional exhaustion is more likely in women due to increased work-life conflict. Studies show that female workers with one or more dependents have significantly higher levels of depressive symptoms than before the introduction of remote working. |