There are many for whom the global shift toward remote work in the last few years has been the gift of a lifetime. A minimal commute, more time with family, and a lower-pressure work environment are just a few things that many people appreciated about the transition.
However, every rose has its thorns, and with remote work, one of the biggest is burnout. While many people find that remote work lets them be far more productive and mentally healthy, it also introduces new challenges.
For instance, loneliness, a lack of boundaries, and constant video calls can all lead to mental exhaustion. Most remote workers start to feel burned out at some point. But there’s plenty we can do to cope with the stressful sides of remote work and reduce the risk of burning out in the future.
To those who have yet to experience it, remote work burnout can sound like little more than the latest in a long line of unrealistic millennial complaints — the participation trophy generation strikes again. Even so, WFH burnout is a real issue that many people face.
Every form of work takes up mental, physical, and emotional energy. As such, each causes unique forms of friction.
Some of the typical stressors of working from home include:
– Being connected-but-not-really with your coworkers
– Experiencing freedom not just as a benefit but also as a burden for the first time
– Drawing the line between being at-work-at-home and at-home-at-home
-Longing for water-cooler small talk or anything that isn’t 100% business
-Trying to circle back with Mike from purchasing in the same environment where you normally cook tacos, play dinosaurs with your spouse, and watch Parks and Rec reruns
Individually, each of these may prove only a minor frustration. However, an overload of these stresses can harm workers’ job performance and, more importantly, their mental health.
Social Fatigue:
Many assume that the trouble with video meetings impacts introverts and extroverts differently. But interestingly enough, a day of all-digital communication can be exhausting to anyone.
The quasi-social dynamic of these interactions can make introverts feel like they have to be “on” the whole time while also failing to give extroverts the sense of connection they crave. The depersonalization of this type of connection leaves almost everyone wanting.