Gallup calls it “the remote work paradox.” Working remotely gives us freedom and flexibility, and remote workers are more engaged, but they are less likely to be thriving because they’re isolated. And it’s quietly eroding their well-being and social lives.
‘The Remote Work Paradox’: Engaged But Not Thriving
Amid Mental Health Awareness Month, experts are finding that remote workers are engaged in their work but their well-being is suffering from isolation and lack of human contact. New research reveals that 56% of remote workers go entire weeks without stepping outside, with one in five doing so often. Even more disturbing is that one in four remote workers go days without a single face-to-face interaction.
I spoke to Thalia-Maria Tourikis, certified health coach and burnout prevention and recovery expert at Headway app. She listed the many perks to working from home. “You save time and money by not commuting, avoid the stress of chasing trains or being crammed into subways and enjoy the comfort of working from your home—or even from a beach or any location that suits you. You can often get more done and structure your day to balance work and personal errands.”
Tourikis acknowledges that remote work often results in financial advantages for both employees and employers. Happier, more fulfilled, and mentally healthy people tend to be more productive and creative, ultimately generating more revenue. But she also points out that there’s a downside.
“On the flip side, remote work takes a whole lot of discipline,” she admits. “You need to learn how to manage yourself, or you’ll end up working 24/7 or barely working at all. You have to plan your social activities and time outside the house, or you’ll find yourself stuck indoors for days. You also need to build movement into your day, or you might end up with back pain, weight gain and other health issues.”
Ryan Pendell, writing for Gallup, also has opinions on why fully remote workers are more distressed, offering three reasons remote work can be more mentally and emotionally taxing than onsite work:
1. Physical distance can create mental distance
Pendell points out that for some remote workers miss the human connections that all of us need: camaraderie, storytelling and team lunches that is built in with onsite and hybrid work. “Isolation can increase loneliness and, in the absence of social support, contribute to sadness and anger,” he says. “Spending time with others plays a key role in positive life evaluations.” He suggests that sharing meals with others is as strong an indicator of well-being as income, which in his opinion could partly explain why remote workers are less likely to thrive than their on-site peers.
2. Autonomy can be stressful
Pendell suggests that while autonomy can boost engagement by offering employees more control over their work, too much of it can lead to stress. “Managing time independently and coordinating work with others can become difficult without clear boundaries,” he asserts. “The fact that both remote and hybrid workers report higher stress may indicate that flexibility comes with a cognitive burden.”
3. Technology can be frustrating
Pendell cites previous Gallup research showing that remote work that requires high levels of coordination is harder than remote work that can be done independently. “Collaboration through digital technology isn’t always smooth, and frustration varies by task,” he emphasizes. “Remote employees may also have less access to certain resources and equipment available to on-site workers.”
Staying Sane Amid ‘The Remote Work Paradox’
Tourikis provides four strategies on how to stay sane working from home.
1. Start your own ‘virtual office’
If you can’t make it into the office, Tourikis suggests that you bring it to your home instead. Schedule a time with your colleagues or friends, block it off and hold a virtual coworking session over a video call. She advises that you not set an agenda, but instead
just share the space and get on with your work, stopping for the occasional chat.
“Think of it as the digital equivalent of sitting across from someone in the office,” she proposes. “Not only does it offer social stimulation, but having others around should help you stay focused, get through your to-do list and have more time to enjoy your evening.”
2. Get out and work from anywhere
“When your daily routine is a short walk from bed to desk and back, even the comfort of your home can feel confining,” Tourikis explains. “Humans thrive on variety and change–so switch up your environment.”
She argues that you don’t have to spend all day at your desk and that you can make your office at the local coffee shop, library or park. She adds that you don’t need to strike up conversations, because simply being around others can make you feel more connected and less trapped by your work.
3. Swap text messages for voice notes
“In the era of instant messaging, workplace communications have been quick, efficient and emotionally flat. Tourikis believes that, while chat apps keep the remote workplace moving, they lack the human element that makes us feel close to our colleagues.
“A simple fix?” she asks. “Swap text messages for voice notes. Whether you’re sharing project details or the latest office gossip, short audio messages are an easy way to bring some connection back to the disconnected workplace.”
4. Volunteer for a good cause
“One of the biggest perks of remote working is flexibility, so why not channel some of that freedom into something positive?” she proposes. “If you can find time, offer to build a website for a local nonprofit or help grow their social media presence– something that puts your skills to good use.”
She insists that not only will you connect with new people outside the workplace, but when negative feelings creep in, doing acts of kindness for others is the remedy to make us feel better.
A Final Takeaway On ‘The Remote Work Paradox’
Tourikis acknowledges that, at the end of the day, remote work does require effort— both from the worker to stay balanced and from the employer to create an environment where people can thrive and connect, even without meeting in person.
The solution to the remote work paradox is not an either-or choice. The answer to well-being for remote workers isn’t going back into the office. The remedy is work-life balance, making sure you are practicing self-care and having outside connections during the weekday.