How to Overcome Social Isolation When Working from Anywhere


So you read up on all those helpful Work from Anywhere tips.

You’ve gotten into the groove of working from somewhere other than the office. You’re efficient and productive, and your work days go by with minimal problems. But after a few months of the new setup, you start to feel isolated.

So, how do you overcome social isolation when working from anywhere? To avoid social isolation spend time with family and friends, set boundaries, get regular changes of scenery, connect with people online, exercise regularly, get a pet (this works for me), collaborate daily with coworkers, get regular sunlight, and take the time for meditation or yoga. Ensure these practices are in place early in your work-from-anywhere life to avoid the feeling of isolation.

Employers can help employees overcome isolation by offering work from anywhere employees a stipend to work from a coworking location, check in regularly to monitor mental health and happiness, hold in-person events and try to simulate in-person meetings.

Many employees prefer working from anywhere, but spending a long time in isolation isn’t healthy. An equal number miss the back-and-forth of office chatter and cracking jokes about the day with colleagues.

For some of us, being alone is not a big deal. Some people thrive working alone, but everyone needs some social interaction. Others might find it challenging to work away from colleagues and friends.

That’s why finding a balance between working from anywhere and working with teams has become increasingly important. It’s vital for companies to attend to their employees’ emotional and social needs to maintain productivity and employee morale. Keep reading to find out how to overcome social isolation!

The Hidden Toll of Work from Anywhere

Work From Anywhere has taken the world by storm. More and more employees can work anywhere they choose. Most people view this as a benefit — no longer do people need to wake up early to get to work, nor do they need to worry about missing a bus or getting caught by accidents, traffic jams, and other things outside their control.

But with every blessing comes a burden.

Despite the flexibility and comfort that comes with working from anywhere, many people feel lonely and isolated. And when you are not working in an officeOpens in a new tab., surrounded by your colleagues, it’s much easier to feel disconnected.

Some of the struggles that contribute to feeling isolated include:

  • Being unable to unplug after workOpens in a new tab.
  • Lack of communication and collaboration
  • Being in a different timezone than team members
  • Inability to take vacation time

Spending a long time in isolation can lead to many real problems, such as depression and relationship damage. Having friends in the workplace is one of the keys to having a happy work life but making friends is a significant challenge when employees don’t see anyone during the day or talk to anyone. Unhappy employees also aren’t able to be as effective at their jobs.

Why Overcoming Social Isolation Is Important

Being alone for too long is not sustainable. While “too long” varies per person, everyone has a limit.

Head of Optimistic People at Cooperative Computing Ahsan RaisOpens in a new tab. pointed out that “… social interactions are a basic psychological need for humans. Each one of us, whether we identify as an introvert or an extrovert needs to interact with one another to reinforce a sense of belonging, purpose, and well-being.’ Therefore, the lack of meaningful opportunities to interact can pose serious physical and mental health repercussions, of which loss of productivity in the employees is just the tip of the iceberg.”

Humans need to interact with each other and build connections. Utilizing a work-from-anywhere setup can sever those connections or at least make it more difficult to maintain them. The decreased social connection may damage an employee’s professional and personal life depending on their preferred level of human interaction.

And thus, employees pay the psychological costsOpens in a new tab. of being disconnected from others. When that happens, the company suffers. Social isolation and loneliness drivers of employee burnout and turnover.

How to Overcome Social Isolation

Social isolation is a widespread problem among Work from Anywhere employees. But is there anything that we can do about it?

Fortunately, the answer is a big, resounding YES!

Once we become aware of the dangers of social isolation, we come closer to addressing them. Identifying a problem is always the first step to finding a solution. There are many ways employers and employees can combat social isolation.

Self-employed remote work consultant Sheila ProteauOpens in a new tab. stated, “Loneliness isn’t the sole domain of the remote worker—numerous studies have reported that loneliness is becoming an epidemic—but working from home certainly has the potential to contribute to feelings of loneliness. As remote workers, we need to be mindful of this and actively take steps to ensure we nurture and maintain our social connections.”

Here are some ways to handle the social isolation that the Work from Anywhere life creates.

For Employees

Spend Time with Family and Friends

Working too much leaves too little time to form or maintain close relationships. If you do not make time for the people you care about, you might find them drifting away from you. You might end up working too much if you aren’t able to spend time with your loved ones.

It’s a vicious cycle—and it’s difficult to leave. The danger increases for employees working from anywhere. Lines and boundaries blur when your home or break spot is the same as your workplace. Reflect on how much time you spend on work, then make time for your loved ones. Pick a weekend, take a day off, or hang out online with friends.

Set Boundaries

As we mentioned, the line between work and personal life can blur when working from anywhere. That makes it vital to set boundaries.

You can do this by setting a specific time when you stop checking and replying to emails, chats, and other correspondence. It’s also a good idea to stop working when your shift is over to avoid overworking yourself. Drawing the line between your work and personal life is crucial. Setting boundaries allows you to take care of your physical and mental health.

Heather YoungerOpens in a new tab., author, podcast host, and founder of Employee Fanatix says, “Commuting to work brought us out into the elements, and on days when the weather offered sunshine, being outside was a bigger mood booster than many of us realize. So encourage your team to take a break, be in the sunshine, or go for a walk. And don’t forget to take a break yourself! A change in scenery is always a great refresher and increases productivity.”

Try a Change of Scenery

One of the biggest perks of working from anywhere is being able to work from any location. So if your workstation is portable, why not take advantage of that? Being stuck in the same place for too long might feel suffocating, so you could try working somewhere different. Some things you can do include:

  1. Take a walk during your breaks.
  2. Once or twice a week, find someplace new to work.
  3. Find shared workspacesOpens in a new tab. in your area and try working alongside other employees to get out of your social funk.
  4. Consider working outdoors sometimes — maybe in an outdoor cafe or a park if you feel adventurous.

Being around other people can be a big help — even if you don’t interact with them — is already a good place to start when you’re feeling a bit dragged down by social isolation. It doesn’t have to be deep, meaningful interaction as long as being around them makes it easier for you to recharge socially.

Connect with People Online

You can use virtual platforms if you can’t meet up with your friends and family in real life. Don’t just chat through direct messaging — hop on an audio or video call with them; talking to someone in real time can help alleviate some of the loneliness of working in isolation.

You can also connect with other people online. Find people with similar hobbies and interests on social media, online forums, and other platforms. Sometimes, online buddies can become long-lasting friendships. Just remember to be careful when connecting with people online.

Exercise

Exercise is not only a great way to get yourself back out there—it’s also a highly effective mood booster. You might bump into acquaintances or even make small talk with strangers while on a jog. There are also group exercise classes that could help improve feelings of social connectedness.

Getting some exerciseOpens in a new tab. also produces endorphins, which make you feel good. So you’ll be able to meet people, get some fresh air, and perhaps appreciate your own company even more!

Get a Pet

You might want to consider getting a pet — pets make people feel less lonely. Whether you’re a dog person, a cat person, a fish person, or whatever animal suits your fancy — being a pet parent has many physical, emotional, and mental benefits. They are your companion and confidant when you are feeling lonely. If you have an animal that needs a walk, such as a dog, then they can also give you a reason to get out of the house every once in a while.

Do Yoga and Meditation

With the blurred boundaries between work life and personal life, stress levels are at an all-time high. Marie DonnOpens in a new tab., Inclusion, Belonging & Diversity Specialist at Ashurst, shares, “Stress at work can arise even when you aren’t at work. If employees feel unable to cope with the demands of their jobs, don’t receive information and support, or aren’t engaged in times of change, stress can really increase the pressure in an already anxious time.”

Meditation techniques can help turn off your “work brain” so you can rest and recuperate. Doing so allows you to spend time with loved ones and keep burnout at bay, and having a dedicated time to meditate and focus helps set a boundary between work and relaxation.

Yoga also has physical benefits that offset some of the discomforts of working long hours a day. Although you should aim to have good posture even while working, the stretching exercises of yoga can help alleviate tension, improve flexibility, and help you feel better after a day of being hunched over a computer. Since you can enjoy mental and physical benefits from yoga and meditation, your performance will also improve since it can lead to increased focus and productivity.

Collaborate with Coworkers

Being a professional nomad can feel lonely, especially when faced with a lack of communication. But your team can collaborate even while working at different places and times. 

But many apps and tools today allow teams to connect and collaborate. Whether it may be a project collaboration, a common document, or a work report for all team members, using a team collaboration platform will help you communicate more effectively. So take advantage of modern technology and be proactive in reaching out to your coworkers.

Attend Professional Networking Events

One creativel solution to fight social isolation is going to networking conferences and eventsOpens in a new tab.. It’s an excellent way to meet other experts in the field and exchange ideas, experiences, and insights. Not only are you socializing with others, but you’re also learning from professionals and building your network. Webinars and other educational events are also great opportunities to meet like-minded people to connect with and give your career a much-needed boost.

Let the Sunlight In

Getting an extra bit of light and sunshine—preferably with a view of nature—could help in giving an emotional boost. Although not everyone has access to this, and the weather might not be cooperative at times. Still, finding natural light helps lift your mood.

Try to Maintain a Positive Outlook

Putting feelings of isolation in perspective is vital — they are feelings, meaning you can manage them to a certain extent. Try to focus more on the good things that come with working from anywhere. And when you do think about struggles, think about them objectively. Rather than feeling like all hope is lost, ask yourself what you’re struggling with, what you could do about it, and who can help you overcome it.

For Employers

Offer a Coworking Space Stipend

Employers play a significant part in ensuring their employees do not suffer while in social isolationOpens in a new tab.. Isolation can affect an employee’s performance, dragging a company down. To avoid that, employers can provide employees with a coworking space stipend.

It’s the same as offering perks like free coffee, catered meals, or fitness classes to retain your onsite employees. Setting up perks that benefit your Work from Anywhere employees can help them take care of their well-being. Offering them a stipend to cover the cost of membership at a coworking space encourages them to connect with others proactively.

Check-In with Your Team

Another way to help team members feel less isolated is to check in on them. Communicate with them regularly and try to find out how they are doing at work and in their personal lives. It’s beneficial to show that you care about them and do whatever you can to help them.

Build trust and connect deeply with your team members. They have to feel connected to you as well as the company. Being connected to others, after all, makes us feel less alone. It gives us a sense of belonging, making us feel we’re not entirely alone. You could also foster a strong group identity by unifying the team toward a common goal, vision, or challenge.

Simulate In-Person Regular MeetingsOpens in a new tab.

It may not be possible or convenient for Work from Anywhere employees to travel to spend time with their team regularly for in-person meetings and collaboration. But employers could use technology to build virtual meeting spaces so that employees can connect and strengthen their teamwork, dynamics, and culture.

Hold Yearly Company Events

If you have a significant number of Work from Anywhere employees or if all your employees are working from anywhere, schedule optional company events at least once a year. It allows your team to meet and connect in person. Organize an event for collaboration, fun, and socializing to make employees feel more engaged in the company’s mission and culture.

If you’re concerned about the budget, think about it this way: holding an annual event probably costs less than constant employee turnover and poor performance because they don’t work well together or feel unsatisfied with their jobs.

Finding the Balance

Humans are social creatures.

It’s a natural inclination to want to be connected with other peopleOpens in a new tab..

But even if it’s vital to make those connections, it can be challenging when you’re working from anywhere. Your coworkers might be oceans away from you, you might not be able to go out a lot, or you might be hesitant to converse with strangers in public places, especially if you choose to work in a faraway and unfamiliar place.

Shifting to Work from Anywhere has been far from straightforward. Many people have conflicted feelings about it, so it’s beneficial for companies and employers to design a model that works for everyone. Employees’ personal circumstances and preferences are key factors in whether Work from Anywhere brings them any benefits—and whether those benefits supersede the downsides, such as social isolation and loneliness.

As Amanda GreenbergOpens in a new tab., CEO and co-founder at Balloon, presents a query: “To be intentional about how we build the future we all will live in, these are some of the questions I am asking myself: How can we create environments that support, engage, and facilitate connection in the face of a global pandemic? How can we create and sustain barriers between work and home life?”

An unhappiness epidemic after the coronavirus pandemic is bad news. But it is predictable, thus making it avoidable. It’s high time to reimagine what it means to be at work and find out what it takes to meet an employee’s physical, emotional, and social needs.

Steve Todd

Steve Todd, founder of Open Sourced Workplace and is a recognized thought leader in workplace strategy and the future of work. With a passion for work from anywhere, Steve has successfully implemented transformative strategies that enhance productivity and employee satisfaction. Through Open Sourced Workplace, he fosters collaboration among HR, facilities management, technology, and real estate professionals, providing valuable insights and resources. As a speaker and contributor to various publications, Steve remains dedicated to staying at the forefront of workplace innovation, helping organizations thrive in today's dynamic work environment.

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