BEING AT HOME DOESN’T HAVE TO BE LONELY

Nearly half of agile workers feel isolated, and some suffer depression, but Emma says there are ways to make it sociable

hether you’re on W maternity leave, between jobs or you’re one of the 13.7 per cent of people who work from home, you’ll know it can be tough at times. Years ago, I worked at a big, buzzing college. I couldn’t walk a few feet without catching up with a colleague, and lunch breaks were spent laughing with staff. All that company ensured that, when things were difficult, I had a place I could relax. Now I work from home, so I can make a brew whenever I want, and there’s no boss breathing down my neck, but I have no one to moan to on those difficult days. Research shows that working from home can be very isolating, which can impact mental health. Research also shows that people live longer when they have more social interactions daily, from chatting to people at work, to the “hellos” you exchange at the school gates. It all counts. If you’re at home a lot, there are simple ways to connect with people. When making a work call, use Skype or Facetime so it’s face-to-face. Every day, make a rule to take time away from home at lunch, whether that’s to pop out to buy a sandwich, go for a walk, or meet a friend for a coffee. Try to regularly work outside of your home too, either from a cafe, or even at a friend’s house. Look on Facebook and Meetup.com for local groups of home workers, which are full of advice and also offer regular get-togethers. Go to relevant events to meet people, too. Life is more rewarding as part of a community, so build one.