{"id":7339,"date":"2021-03-30T19:03:46","date_gmt":"2021-03-30T19:03:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cheesecakelabs.com\/blog\/?p=7339\/"},"modified":"2022-07-01T17:03:01","modified_gmt":"2022-07-01T17:03:01","slug":"mental-health-remote-work-pandemic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cheesecakelabs.com\/blog\/mental-health-remote-work-pandemic\/","title":{"rendered":"Mental health strategies for remote work during a pandemic"},"content":{"rendered":"

This pandemic has forced us to experience a period of many changes in our life dynamics. Social distance has impacted almost all areas of our lives, especially how we relate to work. The famous <\/span>Home office<\/span><\/i>, or telework, which was once considered a privilege or an innovative work model, has now become a reality for many companies, especially in the IT sector.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, there is a big difference between adopting this work model as a conscious and planned choice – when one is able to exercise social activities in other environments -, and the model forced by the pandemic, one which implies social distance and ends up limiting most of our social interactions to interactions that can only be mediated by technology.<\/span><\/p>\n

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But what are the real impacts that the remote work model has on us?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Certainly, there are advantages and disadvantages. It all depends on the dynamics and social context in which each one of us is inserted. Many people have been living a life in which work takes up a large part of their time during the week, and many of the needs for social interactions are fulfilled in that work space with the people in that context.<\/span><\/p>\n

In this scenario, the social group that lives alone, for the most part, has felt the effects of not having direct physical contact with friends and loved ones as a means of exchange and affection. Social isolation, according to a <\/span>study by neuroscientists at MIT<\/span><\/a>, causes an effect in our brain which is similar to when we are hungry, so in other words, we can say we are hungry for social interaction.<\/span><\/p>\n

The dynamics of communication and interaction with work teams underwent changes in channels, formats and even time. <\/span>Work has begun to invade spaces that were previously well-defined for leisure – like bedrooms, living rooms, and environments that were previously related to resting. Those are now mixed with a routine of productivity and deliveries. As well as physical space, our time dedicated for work is also blending with other activities. Now, we are always connected. We use social networks for work and leisure, which makes it even more difficult to spare time for <\/span>recovering and resting our minds and bodies.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

For those with well-structured family dynamics and well-defined activities – people that have time to take their children to school and pick them up, or share domestic activities – found themselves in a merged reality, where the child’s school is now at home, the house needs to be clean,  and they need to work and also rest. Boundaries are becoming more and more difficult to be preserved, especially in a society well-known for gender inequality of rights and duties, where <\/span>women are the most affected<\/span><\/a> and overwhelmed by this great mix of activities.<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition, the interference of multiple activities in our work routine can cause an emotional effect due to demands and stress. The balance between hours of work and effort at work has become increasingly challenging. Some people can push themselves even harder to meet goals and show that they can be productive even in the midst of adversity.<\/p>\n

What were the impacts on the employee-employer relationship?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The trust relationship between employee and employer has opened the door to more sensitivity during this period. Micromanagement has become more difficult to be used in the leader\u2019s routine, and because of that, they had to adopt other mindsets to keep up with their employee’s productivity and well-being.<\/span><\/p>\n

Now, employers interested in closely monitoring their employees and providing support for their good performance need to be aware of other factors that can impact their well-being and productivity.<\/span><\/p>\n

During the pandemic, we have experienced different feelings and reactions that we might have never experienced before. <\/span><\/p>\n