Should I Go Back To The Office?
After a few disruptive years of working from home, the global workforce is now split in various ways.
Around 43% of people have returned to working exclusively in the office. About 20% remain fully remote, working from home or other locations.
The rest of us are navigating a hybrid model, splitting our time between home and the office.
I cherish the days I work from home, developing programmes or presenting workshops online. But I also value the days I travel across the country and into Australia, meeting people face-to-face. Actual, real people.
Working fully remotely comes with its own set of challenges, and the latest research from neuroscience sheds light on these impacts:
1. Cognitive Load: Managing multiple communication tools and platforms can increase cognitive load, leading to mental fatigue and decreased productivity.
2. Social Isolation: The lack of in-person interaction can lead to feelings of loneliness and social isolation. We are social beings who thrive on connection.
3. Work-Life Balance: While remote work offers flexibility, it can blur the boundaries between work and personal life leading to overworking and burnout if not managed.
4. Stress and Anxiety: The constant connectivity and pressure to always be available can increase stress and anxiety levels.
5. Physical Health: Prolonged remote work can lead to sedentary behaviour, negatively impacting physical health and, consequently, brain health.
On the positive side, remote work can enhance neuroplasticity by encouraging the development of new skills and adaptability.
Navigating new technologies and work environments can stimulate brain growth and cognitive flexibility.
If you are working fully remotely, it's important to consider the impact on your well-being.
Those sometimes-annoying micro-conversations we have in the workplace that often disrupt us can also connect us.
They remind us that we are not alone, that there are others like us who face similar challenges.
Although our cognitive functions are adapting to remote work and electronic communication, we still need social connections.
There is a reason we sign off our posts with the words – let’s talk. It is imperative that we all do so, even if we might not always enjoy it.
Let’s talk!
Should I Go Back To The office?