At first, skipping out on the nine to five to be your own boss is an incredibly liberating feeling. Knowing that you can take a long lunch or sleep in past your usual start time is definitely a benefit of remote work over the traditional nine to five. However, a total lack of routine can be disorientating and leave you feeling sluggish and unmotivated.<\/p>\n
One thing I struggled with initially as a remote worker was distinguishing between work and down time, since I had no \u2018start\u2019 and \u2018finish\u2019 time. I found myself procrastinating when I should have been working, and then feeling guilty when I was relaxing.<\/p>\n
The solution was to create a routine for myself. Many remote workers create thorough schedules for themselves that lay out what should be done, when. Personally, I prefer to keep things a little more flexible, however I do have typical working hours so that I know when to work, and when to relax.<\/p>\n
I also highly recommend having a devoted work space or routine for getting into the work mindset. I\u2019m not going to say I never work in bed or on the couch, but I definitely find that I am usually more productive and settled when working away from these spaces. Even if you don\u2019t have a permanent space, I think it\u2019s helpful to have an \u2018on\u2019 signal \u2013 it could be going to your desk, or perhaps its listening to a certain song or even going for a quick walk before getting started.<\/p>\n
\n#2: Nurture your relationships<\/strong><\/h3>\nOften, remote working is a solitary pursuit. For me, going from working in a large and bustling office to working on my own was quite an adjustment. While at first, I enjoyed the peace and quiet, I did find myself missing those impromptu chats you have around the coffee machine.<\/p>\n
This feeling of isolation can be even more difficult if you are working abroad or away from your family and friends. People are social creatures, and it can take a toll on your mental health and wellbeing if you feel like you don\u2019t have a strong network of people around you.<\/p>\n
Luckily, nowadays there are many ways to build up professional networks so that even if you\u2019re not working alongside people, you\u2019ve got peers to speak to. Most places have professional meet-up groups, or there are always digital versions on social media. Not only are these groups good for your mental health, but they are also good for your career!<\/p>\n
Just as important as your professional relationships are the personal ones. Sometimes when you are working remotely, it\u2019s easy to overlook keeping in touch with your loved ones as time seems to fly by. However, for me, nurturing my personal relationships and making sure that I\u2019m making regular contact has made me much happier and far less lonely.<\/p>\n
\n#3: Get your finances in check<\/strong><\/h3>\nI know it\u2019s not the most interesting thing to think about, but I realised that my lack of financial planning was adding to my worry. As a freelancer, not having a set income each week is quite a challenge \u2013 and it took me a while to adjust my mindset from having a regular paycheck to the unknowns of freelancing.
\nI had fallen into the \u2018feast or famine\u2019 trap, where my spending was very reactionary to how much money came in week on week rather than looking at long term trends.<\/p>\n
It really helped me to take as much control as possible of my finances and make some realistic plans. As my father says: \u2018hope is not a strategy!\u2019, so I decided to assess my long-term income trends and make a budget, including a realistic savings plan.<\/p>\n
By deciding to put away even a small amount of money each week for my emergency fund, week by week I started to feel much more secure and less worried about unexpected costs. There are still financial challenges as a freelancer, especially in the beginning, but knowing that I have contingency plans and a budget has definitely taken a lot of stress off.<\/p>\n
\n#4: A little fresh air goes a long way<\/strong><\/h3>\nLike many writers, I\u2019m not a big fan of the outdoors \u2013 and I\u2019m even less of a fan of gyms! I\u2019d much rather remain snuggled up under a blanket, tea in hand, than spend time sweating it out on a treadmill or exercise bike.<\/p>\n
Over time, however, I have realised that getting outside and doing even the tiniest bit of exercise really does help make you feel more connected to the outside world, healthier, and just way happier. No matter how much I might not feel like it initially, every time I head outside for a walk or run, I feel so much better when I get back.<\/p>\n
For me, the key to adding in exercise to your routine as a remote worker is to choose something that you actually enjoy. For example, perhaps there is a jogging group in your area where you can meet some people while getting some fresh air.<\/p>\n
For me personally, I love photography so I always find that taking my camera and heading off in search of some good shots is a good way to do some walking (and get some pictures for my blog!) Making exercise as fun as possible, rather than a chore, is a way to ensure I actually exercise and get the benefits from it.<\/p>\n
\n#5: Reach out for help if you need it<\/strong><\/h3>\nI love working remotely \u2013 the freedom to up and travel when and where I want, and shape my own future, is amazing. Many people I know personally and professionally have also told me how lucky I am to be able to support myself doing something I enjoy, and have so much autonomy. I agree.<\/p>\n
The truth is, however, that mental illness \u2013 just like getting the flu or spraining your ankle \u2013 doesn’t discriminate just because you have a good life. We wouldn\u2019t refuse to go to the doctor to treat pneumonia just because \u2018we have it pretty good\u2019, so there\u2019s certainly no shame in asking for help if you need it for your mental health.<\/p>\n
Sometimes, no matter how balanced your budget is or how many walks you\u2019re going on, you need a little extra help from a professional. The best thing is that nowadays there are so many options that are perfect for remote workers, such as online therapists and doctors who consult online.<\/p>\n
So, if you do find yourself in a funk that doesn\u2019t seem to be shifting, don\u2019t be afraid to reach out to a doctor, online therapist, or even a crisis line if it\u2019s an emergency situation. None of us are bullet proof, and it takes a lot of courage to call in some help. In the long run, your mental health (and work!) will thank you.<\/p>\n
There we have it \u2013 my five top tips for maintaining your mental health while working remotely, so you can feel and do your best. With these tips, you can keep doing your best work as a remote worker \u2013 and feel great while doing it.
\nDo you have any other tips to share?<\/p>\n
\nGeorgie Mack\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/strong> \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Blog post written by: Georgie Mack\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n![\"mental](\"https:\/\/www.nodeskproject.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/GEM_8361-2-200x300.jpg\")
Follow Georgie on Instagram<\/a> & Facebook<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Six months ago, I left the daily grind and began working remotely as a travel writer and web developer. At first, I felt like I was living the dream \u2013 slowly waking up every morning and deciding when I wanted to start my day, and where I wanted to work, be it in a cozy … <\/p>\n
I know it\u2019s not the most interesting thing to think about, but I realised that my lack of financial planning was adding to my worry. As a freelancer, not having a set income each week is quite a challenge \u2013 and it took me a while to adjust my mindset from having a regular paycheck to the unknowns of freelancing.
\nI had fallen into the \u2018feast or famine\u2019 trap, where my spending was very reactionary to how much money came in week on week rather than looking at long term trends.<\/p>\n
It really helped me to take as much control as possible of my finances and make some realistic plans. As my father says: \u2018hope is not a strategy!\u2019, so I decided to assess my long-term income trends and make a budget, including a realistic savings plan.<\/p>\n
By deciding to put away even a small amount of money each week for my emergency fund, week by week I started to feel much more secure and less worried about unexpected costs. There are still financial challenges as a freelancer, especially in the beginning, but knowing that I have contingency plans and a budget has definitely taken a lot of stress off.<\/p>\n
\n#4: A little fresh air goes a long way<\/strong><\/h3>\nLike many writers, I\u2019m not a big fan of the outdoors \u2013 and I\u2019m even less of a fan of gyms! I\u2019d much rather remain snuggled up under a blanket, tea in hand, than spend time sweating it out on a treadmill or exercise bike.<\/p>\n
Over time, however, I have realised that getting outside and doing even the tiniest bit of exercise really does help make you feel more connected to the outside world, healthier, and just way happier. No matter how much I might not feel like it initially, every time I head outside for a walk or run, I feel so much better when I get back.<\/p>\n
For me, the key to adding in exercise to your routine as a remote worker is to choose something that you actually enjoy. For example, perhaps there is a jogging group in your area where you can meet some people while getting some fresh air.<\/p>\n
For me personally, I love photography so I always find that taking my camera and heading off in search of some good shots is a good way to do some walking (and get some pictures for my blog!) Making exercise as fun as possible, rather than a chore, is a way to ensure I actually exercise and get the benefits from it.<\/p>\n
\n#5: Reach out for help if you need it<\/strong><\/h3>\nI love working remotely \u2013 the freedom to up and travel when and where I want, and shape my own future, is amazing. Many people I know personally and professionally have also told me how lucky I am to be able to support myself doing something I enjoy, and have so much autonomy. I agree.<\/p>\n
The truth is, however, that mental illness \u2013 just like getting the flu or spraining your ankle \u2013 doesn’t discriminate just because you have a good life. We wouldn\u2019t refuse to go to the doctor to treat pneumonia just because \u2018we have it pretty good\u2019, so there\u2019s certainly no shame in asking for help if you need it for your mental health.<\/p>\n
Sometimes, no matter how balanced your budget is or how many walks you\u2019re going on, you need a little extra help from a professional. The best thing is that nowadays there are so many options that are perfect for remote workers, such as online therapists and doctors who consult online.<\/p>\n
So, if you do find yourself in a funk that doesn\u2019t seem to be shifting, don\u2019t be afraid to reach out to a doctor, online therapist, or even a crisis line if it\u2019s an emergency situation. None of us are bullet proof, and it takes a lot of courage to call in some help. In the long run, your mental health (and work!) will thank you.<\/p>\n
There we have it \u2013 my five top tips for maintaining your mental health while working remotely, so you can feel and do your best. With these tips, you can keep doing your best work as a remote worker \u2013 and feel great while doing it.
\nDo you have any other tips to share?<\/p>\n
\nGeorgie Mack\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/strong> \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Blog post written by: Georgie Mack\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\nFollow Georgie on Instagram<\/a> & Facebook<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Six months ago, I left the daily grind and began working remotely as a travel writer and web developer. At first, I felt like I was living the dream \u2013 slowly waking up every morning and deciding when I wanted to start my day, and where I wanted to work, be it in a cozy … <\/p>\n
I love working remotely \u2013 the freedom to up and travel when and where I want, and shape my own future, is amazing. Many people I know personally and professionally have also told me how lucky I am to be able to support myself doing something I enjoy, and have so much autonomy. I agree.<\/p>\n
The truth is, however, that mental illness \u2013 just like getting the flu or spraining your ankle \u2013 doesn’t discriminate just because you have a good life. We wouldn\u2019t refuse to go to the doctor to treat pneumonia just because \u2018we have it pretty good\u2019, so there\u2019s certainly no shame in asking for help if you need it for your mental health.<\/p>\n
Sometimes, no matter how balanced your budget is or how many walks you\u2019re going on, you need a little extra help from a professional. The best thing is that nowadays there are so many options that are perfect for remote workers, such as online therapists and doctors who consult online.<\/p>\n
So, if you do find yourself in a funk that doesn\u2019t seem to be shifting, don\u2019t be afraid to reach out to a doctor, online therapist, or even a crisis line if it\u2019s an emergency situation. None of us are bullet proof, and it takes a lot of courage to call in some help. In the long run, your mental health (and work!) will thank you.<\/p>\n
There we have it \u2013 my five top tips for maintaining your mental health while working remotely, so you can feel and do your best. With these tips, you can keep doing your best work as a remote worker \u2013 and feel great while doing it.
\nDo you have any other tips to share?<\/p>\n
\n
Georgie Mack\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/strong> \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Blog post written by: Georgie Mack\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n Six months ago, I left the daily grind and began working remotely as a travel writer and web developer. At first, I felt like I was living the dream \u2013 slowly waking up every morning and deciding when I wanted to start my day, and where I wanted to work, be it in a cozy … <\/p>\nFollow Georgie on Instagram<\/a> & Facebook<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"