Working from home has many benefits, but in 2022 remote work causes burnout more often than expected. Since the pandemic passed and more jobs are remaining remote, there’s a crossroad between benefits and negative impacts. For the most part the benefits outweigh the negatives, but remote work burnout is one to watch out for.
Statistics
After a recent survey by Mental Health America, 1500 respondents were asked questions about burnout. 75% responded that they have felt burnout at some point with work. Leading to the burnout could also be because 65% stated that they have experienced longer work hours working from home. These are all things that company leaders need to have in mind as burnout can lead to depression and anxiety.
Common Causes of remote work burnout
Some common causes of remote work burnout are very evident. This may include some of the following:
- Unclear work expectations.
- More than full-time work hours.
- Dysfunctional workplace dynamic.
- No vacation time.
- Lack of communication within the work team structure.
Keep these causes in mind when working remotely or managing a team as they are a tell that employees might start experiencing burnout.
Warning Signs
Honestly, the most important section of this article are the warning signs of someone going through remote work burnout. Some of the warning signs can be:
- Inability to complete tasks on time.
- Losing track of tasks and time.
- Mood swings like anger, sadness, and easily irritable.
- Different levels of insomnia.
- Coping mechanisms like alcohol or other mind altering substances.
- Physical illness like headaches or dizziness.
- Depression and anxiety.
Prevention of remote work burnout
The last thing anyone wants is to experience burnout from work. Here are some ways to prevent reaching the extremes. First, create boundaries for yourself. A simple way to do this is to put phones on “Do Not Disturb” so there are no notifications from emails or messages outside of the work hours. Another way is to create a routine where there is a physical disconnect from the work space. Actually close the laptop to eliminate temptation to go in and check emails. Make sure to eat well and try to incorporate a physical routine. If there are any tips that have worked for you, share them with us on our Instagram.