Connecting the entire world, the internet has brought about a huge transformation in everyday life. One such significant change is to traditional ideas of work. Being confined to office cubicles was once the only way to stay in contact and share files, but now, working from home is possible for many. Though there are recent UN reports that have linked remote working with the risk of unpaid overtime hours, stress, and insomnia, it has its share of benefits as well. Could an offsite job make a significant difference in your health?
Remote working can certainly save money on gas, but it has been linked with several downsides as well. People working from a non-traditional environment face the risk of working unpaid overtime which can lead to stress and insomnia. According to recent UN reports, working remotely can raise the risks of unpaid overtime hours, high stress, and insomnia. The report was issued by the United Nations International Labour Organization.
The study involved a compilation of information from over 15 nations around the world. The research found that, when compared to those working in a traditional environment, people who opted to work away from the traditional workplace were more productive. However, without the fixed schedules in an office, remote working brought longer hours, higher-intensity work, and more environmental distractions. During the study, researchers distinguished between those working from home, those who work at various off-site locations, and those who work at other places as well as in the office.
The report revealed that high stress and frequent insomnia was prevalent in the non-traditional, remote working group. Slightly more than 40 percent of the mobile employees reported experiencing stress. In contrast, only one-quarter of the traditional employees experienced stress.
The most surprising statistic of the research was the insomnia level. A massive 42 percent of the working from home group and remote working group experienced insomnia. Only 29 percent of the group that worked from the office suffered from insomnia. Remote workers can also be faced with major challenges like finding long-term projects and prospective clients who offer fair compensation on time.
Reports make it clear that working from other spaces or those reserved for personal life can pose certain risks for the employees. John Messenger, the co-author of the study suggests that people should be given a chance to work off-site at least a few days per week.
The combination of traditional work and an off-site job could be the sweet spot. Working in the office allows interpersonal interactions among the staff giving deeper insight into projects, whereas working from home isolated from coworkers helps you carry out tasks more efficiently and accurately.
Reports also show that in certain countries such as India, many employers are insecure and reluctant to try remote working, fearing that worker autonomy could hamper employer control and pose a threat to the management. Further, many employers do not trust their employees to work diligently outside the office.
Working in the office ensures a paycheck at the end of every month, while remote working carries a higher risk of going unpaid. Further, off-site jobs involve working independently in isolation, thus demanding more effort and hard work than working in an office. With each new assignment, the challenge level can increase.
These risks involved in working from home can cause stress which can ultimately affect the quality of your life. However, working in an office can also pose challenges such as dealing with a difficult boss, uncooperative co-workers, and corporate politics that can leave you stressed.
Regardless of where you work, stress is inevitable. As a large chunk of your life is spent on working for pay, the quality of your working time has a direct impact on your health. Stressful workplaces and longer hours without adequate pay can significantly affect your health.
Research shows that despite eating healthy, stress can lead to health problems. This is because stress can cause the food you eat to metabolize differently. Further, some studies also show that in healthy individuals, stress can cause an inflammatory response to healthy fats in a way that is similar to the response to unhealthy fats. This suggests that stress can reduce your body’s ability to reap the benefits of healthy foods.
The NeuroEndoMetabolic (NEM) Stress Response System is your body’s natural stress-fighting mechanism. It is an intricate network of various organs and six circuits, including the neuroaffect circuit, which work in unison to fight stress. During stressful situations, the NEM signals to the adrenal glands, a pair of walnut-shaped organs which is also a vital part of the response system, to secrete the anti-stress hormone, cortisol. However, when stress continues, the adrenals are overburdened and no longer in a position to secrete adequate cortisol. This reduces your body’s natural stress-fighting ability, which can increase the risk of developing adrenal fatigue.
People who frequently experience extreme fatigue along with symptoms of insomnia, low energy levels, trembling in stressful situations, difficulty in waking up, constipation, anxiety, stubborn weight gain, low concentration levels, or craving for fatty and salty foods could be dealing with Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome (AFS).
It is the brain where stress is initiated. The neuroaffect circuit of the NEM comprises of the brain, autonomic nervous system, and the microbiome. Constant exposure to stress can cause an imbalance of the neuroaffect circuit which can trigger unpleasant symptoms such as insomnia, brain fog, mood swings, anxiety, and lack of concentration. These symptoms can become more prevalent with constant and increased stress at work.
Though the UN studies spotlight on the downside of working from home, remote working has its share of benefits as well.
Many people are forced to travel long distances every day to reach their workplace. Working at the office can require long commuting hours which can leave you even more stressed and fatigued than the time you spend at work. The great part of working from home is that it saves the strain of commuting as you do not have to travel to the workplace. This lets you use your valuable time for other activities such as perusing hobby, cooking a healthy meal, exercising, or spending more quality time with your family. Not to mention it saves you money on transportation, gas, and vehicle wear and tear.
While working in the office usually requires sticking to a fixed schedule, remote working offers the flexibility of choosing when you work. In most cases, you can choose to work anytime. There is no stress of getting late to work, and it is easier to fit your work in around other responsibilities in your life.
In remote working, you are free to create your own personalized working space to meet your needs. This is especially important if your work requires creativity. A comfortable working space keeps your mind relaxed, and this can enhance your creativity and productivity.
Remote working involves minimal interpersonal interaction with coworkers. This means less dealing with uncooperative coworkers and putting out fires, sparing you unwanted stress. As communication is mostly carried out online through e-mails, there is more work transparency. Working in physical isolation away from the office can allow you to focus completely on the project.
Certain debilitating health conditions such as IBS, chronic infections, and adrenal fatigue can keep you confined to your home. In such cases, working from home can be a great boon as it enables you to work from the comfort of your personal space. You have the freedom to rest in between tasks when you feel fatigued, which is often not possible when working in an office. Remote working can also prove suitable for nursing mothers or those with sick or elderly family members who need to be cared for.
Based on your lifestyle and requirements, you will have to make your own choices about the best work environment for you. The UN study has linked remote working with a higher risk of unpaid working hours, increased stress, and insomnia. High stress can cause an imbalance in your neuroaffect circuit and cortisol levels, thus raising the chances of adrenal fatigue. Further, experiencing work-related stress could significantly affect the quality of your life.
However, whether you opt for working from home or from the office, each has their own set of pros and cons. Selecting a suitable working environment based on your lifestyle, minimizing exposure to stressful situations with balancing your work and personal life is the ultimate trick to a satisfied, healthy, and happy life.
Working from home has its own share of pros and cons. Avoiding stress completely can be impossible, whether you are working at home or from the office. As one study revealed, remote working comes with an increased risk of unpaid long work hours, stress, and insomnia. However, choosing to work with professional clients who value their employees and make timely compensation can significantly help reduce work-related stress.
