In 1981 the number of employees working from home was 1.5% compared to 2019, when it was reported to have increased to 4.7%. By April 2020, at the start of the pandemic, the figures for working from home rose to 46.6%, with over half of these workers doing so due to Covid 19. Our blog work from home UK statistics 2023 discusses how the trend will continue to alter due to the government constantly changing its advice. There are no exact figures for how much home-based work improves productivity, but many say they spend more hours working than previously.

However, it does have its disadvantages; the sudden growth of homeworking has taken its toll on many people’s mental well-being. A study by the Wales Institute of Social and Economic Research and Data has shown that home-centred workers, especially those new to it, find it difficult to concentrate and are easily distracted by normal day-to-day activities. Many constantly felt under pressure to carry on as they would in the office environment but without the support of the rest of their ‘team.’ Loneliness and feeling isolated due to the lack of communication with co-workers, especially with younger workers, is another major factor for those experiencing mental health problems. A restorative mental health day is one way to take a break from work and rejuvenate your senses. The ‘12 Tips for Taking A Restorative Mental Health Day’ by Zocdoc Brianna Graham has some good advice on the best ways to relax. The article details that whatever you choose to do on your day off, it should leave you feeling relaxed and refreshed, helping to restore your mental well-being and ease the causes, as discussed below.

Isolation and Loneliness

It is a natural human emotion to feel lonely. Our brain is programmed to seek communication with others, and loneliness is a sign that we need more social contact. According to The Marmalade Trust’s guide to loneliness, people from every age group can sometimes succumb to feelings of isolation and seclusion. Working from home can cause these feelings; even if you are still in contact through webinars and video meetings, face-to-face interaction with colleagues is not the same. On a mental health restorative day, reach out to family and friends and enjoy quality time together. Avoid work-related chat, and you will find that focusing on something else makes your mind and body feel relaxed.

Not Being Active

It is so easy to get so engrossed in what you are doing when working at home. Time passes, and you realise you have been sitting in the same position for a long while. This is not good for your body or brain. Setting aside a period to venture outside your workspace, even briefly, helps keep you mobile. During the Covid 19 pandemic, the government encouraged people to exercise more to relieve stress and stay active; this can still be applied today to those working remotely. On a restorative mental health day, you can go further afield. Plan an activity you used to enjoy, visit the gym for a workout, take a walk in the park, and commune with nature or enjoy some retail therapy. Being active is great for restoring your mental and physical well-being, leaving you happy and relaxed.

Working Too Many Hours

Our bodies need routines like setting the alarm, getting out of bed, and preparing for work. When working from home, many people are too relaxed in their approach to when they work. Not having a set routine can lead to being constantly glued to your computer or the opposite, pursuing other activities and putting work aside until the end of the day. Having an organized workspace can also lead to longer working hours; having to share a room where there are constant interruptions by family members prolongs your working day. Taking a day off gives you time to sort out a dedicated workspace to spend a planned number of working hours. This may seem like a work-related exercise, but it will ease the pressure on your brain by not struggling with a work-life balance.