7 Health Benefits of Working Remotely . Working from home has become a new normal, especially after the breakout of the COVID-19.pandemic.
7 Health Benefits of Working Remotely |Â digitalskillsguide.com
Health Benefits of Working Remotely
Working from home has become a new normal, especially after the breakout of the COVID-19 pandemic.Â
The idea of working from home has been there since 1970 when it was called telecommuting. It continued to grow from time to time using the internet, email, and mobile phones, although many companies did not prioritize it.
 In early 2020 when the world was forced to shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, companies had no other option than to work online remotely while observing self-isolation.
The biggest legacy of COVID-19 is undeniably the promotion of remote working. The governments, organizations, and companies had no other option than to ensure their employees continued to perform their responsibilities virtually. In 2020 it was estimated that almost 70% of full-time employees worked remotely. Working from home is associated with various health benefits when compared to working at the office as follows;
Health Benefits of Working Remotely Table of Contents
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Health Benefits of Working Remotely Table of Contents
1.  Improved Mental Health
You save much of your time working remotely, which benefits your emotional, physical, and mental health. Some organizations that prioritize their employees' mental health and general wellness offered remote working options even before the pandemic.
2. Reduced Work-related Stress
When you work from home, it generally benefits your well-being and health. You will be able to spend more time with your family, eat healthy food and when you want, also you will avoid commuting-related stress like time wasted stuck in traffic. Those who work remotely experience less stress by 25% than those working in an office.
An employee, on average, wastes about 1 to 2 hours daily commuting to and fro working place. This precious time wasted can be saved to allow you to focus on your work and family. The happier time you spend with your family improves your mental health and productivity.
3. Healthy Eating
You can utilize your time from commuting to prepare your healthy food when you eat more nutritious foods, even your productivity increases, as several studies have proved.
7 Health Benefits of Working RemotelyÂ
4. Social Distancing
Social distancing is highly encouraged to reduce infectivity and flatten the curve for the COVID-19 pandemic. When you work remotely, social distancing becomes a reality in your life. It isn't easy to practice social distancing by 100% when working at the office.Â
Sharing office space, door handles, attending meetings, and commuting to work risks employees' health regarding COVID-19. The best method to practice social distancing is opting for remote working.
5. Reduced Air Pollution
You positively impact the environment when you work remotely. The air pollution caused by vehicles used by employees commuting to and from working places is so massive. When you have to work at home, you help save our environment.Â
Some countries like Rwanda invest in cycling to help boost clean air. When the air is clean, it is s a benefit to your health.
6. Inclusion of Disabled People
If you are physically disabled, you will agree that the COVID-19 pandemic offered a golden chance to work remotely. Commuting to and from workplaces is a real challenge to disabled people.Â
Many employers before the pandemic were not providing accommodation to work remotely to disabled people—something which the pandemic offered freely.
When considering returning to normal, the option to work remotely should still be granted, especially to people with disabilities and nursing mothers.
7. Happier and Healthier Work Life
Remote working is healthier as it gives employees much time with the family. If you are a nursing mother, it is more beneficial for your baby to care for your baby and family.Â
Generally, your productivity and performance will increase when you have a happier and healthier family.
Working at home reduces stress that comes with working in the office environment like favoritism, office politics, and interruptions from colleagues, comfortable working space, etc.
