WORK SMARTER NOT HARDER:  Is Working From Home Making You Sick?

At first, working from home sounds like an amazing dream:  you can sleep later, you don’t need to get dressed, and there’s no commute.

However, some experts are starting to think that the benefits do not necessarily outweigh the dangers…  at least, psychologically.  Some say it could damage our mental health, in the long run.  Here’s why:

  •  Setting up shop from the couch or even the spare room begins the blur the line between being online and offline, which makes it easier for you to put in more time.
  •  Social isolation from co-workers can become a factor.
  •  You may put extra strain on relationships between you and those whom you live with.

On the other hand, so to speak, you may count several experts who agree that getting more sleep, and reducing workplace anxiety, can greatly improve mental health.  And it’s not just the stress of the job; it’s the added stress, of the group dynamic and even the break rooms and bathrooms.  Some of these researchers say the line between being on duty and off duty was already blurred, since back when cell phones (first it was beepers!) and home computers or laptops first became common.

So, the upshot is this:  You will likely know which way works best for you, and which does not.

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