Ten Strategies for Overcoming Loneliness and Isolation When You Work from Home
Working from home is both a blessing and a curse. The pros are your personal freedom. The con is often the lack of social interaction. No more morning meetings, no chats around the water cooler, no lunches in the break room or birthday parties for co-workers.
While many people thrive on solitude, even introverts can get lonely. Social ties are important for your emotional health. So how do you overcome the isolation of working from home? Here are ten tips.
1. At least once a week, meet a friend for breakfast or lunch. If they have a day job then they’ll have to do breakfast early. That means you’ll be back at your desk at home ready to go at an early hour, too. Or take a long lunch hour and chat with a retired friend. This isn’t going to cut into your productivity too much if you only do it once a week.
2. Join local meet-up groups that focus on marketing or small business. This provides not only social interaction but valuable work contacts, too.
3. Make one day a week family day. Pick up your kids or grandkids from school and go get an ice cream cone. Watch their soccer game. Take them to the park or to the zoo. Many people start a home business to spend more time with their families and then end up doing the opposite. Treat your appointments with your children and/or grandchildren as respectfully as you do with business associates.
4. Once or twice a year attend a conference geared to your industry. It’s a way to travel and write off the expenses. More importantly, you can pick the minds of the movers and shakers in your field. You’ll meet people who get what you do for a living.
5. Take a walk. A little sunshine and fresh air can help lift your mood and free your spirit. In other words, you’ll feel happier and more energized if you put a little movement into your day.
6. If there aren’t any mastermind or meet-up groups in your area, start one. Or travel to a nearby town once a month. Sharing your challenges with others who are facing the same issues can be a huge stress reliever. You are not alone.
7. When you feel like the walls are closing in on you, pack up your laptop and work at a coffee shop for the day. You’ll be surrounded by people and activity. After eavesdropping on everyone else’s conversation, you’ll be able to enjoy your solitude again the next day.
8. Use social media to connect with friends and relatives. While you have to use this with moderation; it is a great way to keep in touch with people from all over the world. But set a timer and get offline after your set amount of “play time”.
9. Make a few phone calls or Skype calls every day. You don’t have to spend long amounts of time on each call for it to give you a sense of connecting with another person.
10. Go sit on the front porch or on the patio. Visit the local park. A change of scenery can do wonders for your state of mind.
Don’t let your work suffer because you’re sitting home alone feeling isolated from the world. Make a plan to get out and do something. If all else fails, use that gym membership you’re still paying for but never use.
