Remote Work vs Office: How Each Environment Impacts Your Mental Health

While the return-to-office mandates persist, I have not seen many articles or engaged in discussions about the impact of returning to the office on our mental health. Which is better for your mental health: returning to the office or continuing to work remotely? Both options affect mental health in distinct ways, offering benefits and challenges that influence stress levels, productivity, and overall well-being.

Figuring out what works best for you depends on individual preferences, workplace culture, and your personal lifestyle. However, understanding the pros and cons of each option can help you make informed decisions about where and how you work best.

When COVID struck, we all remember those initial months and the challenges we faced while working remotely. For many of us, it was our first experience with remote technology solutions and discovering new methods to communicate and maintain productivity. Remote job opportunities soared by 1100% between March 2020 and December 2021, according to a statistic shared by LinkedIn. However, after years of successfully working remotely, there has been a significant increase in employers requiring employees to return to the office. As employees, we are expected to manage and support our mental health during this transition. So, let's break it down: which is better for your mental health? Is it a one-size-fits-all situation, or does it depend on your unique mental health struggles?

A modern office environment with a team engaged in focused work, featuring a well-lit space with large windows and organized desks equipped with computers and technology.

Remote Work: Mental Health Pros & Cons

The Benefits:

- Less commuting stress: Eliminating long commutes reduces daily fatigue and frees up time for self-care or personal interests.

- More flexibility: Remote work allows for adjusting schedules around energy levels and mental health needs.

- Comfortable environment: Working from home provides more control over surroundings, allowing for personalized workspaces that support focus and relaxation.

The Challenges:

- Social isolation: Limited interaction with coworkers can lead to feelings of loneliness, a lack of support, and reduced collaboration.

- Blurred boundaries: Working from home can make it harder to switch off at the end of the day, potentially leading to burnout.

- Distractions at home: Without structure, family, personal tasks, or household responsibilities can interfere with focus.

So What?

For those of us working from home, how can we counter some of the adverse effects on our mental health due to this type of work?

Firstly, we need to ensure that we take time throughout our day and week to connect with people, not just through screens but also in person. As a leader, I see connection as one of my key roles, and I seize every opportunity to connect and get to know people personally. This might involve 10 minutes at the start of a meeting or a casual check-in with a colleague that isn't work-related. In a remote environment, we owe this to each other. This approach can help mitigate some of the negative impacts of remote work on our mental health.

To me, blurred boundaries represent the most significant potential threat to our mental health while working from home. I know many people, myself included, who start their day at 7 AM and rarely turn off their emails, Teams messages, and so forth until they lay their heads down at night. Recently, as I have focused more on my mental health and wellness, I have become much more intentional about signing off on time and establishing and adhering to time-based boundaries on work-from-home days.

Office Work: Mental Health Pros & Cons

The Benefits:

- Stronger social connections: Face-to-face interactions foster camaraderie, networking, and workplace culture, supporting mental well-being.

- Clear work-life boundaries: Leaving the office at the end of the day creates a clearer divide between work and personal time.

- Structured routine: Having set hours and an established environment can increase motivation and efficiency.

The Challenges:

- Commuting stress: Long travel times can lead to increased exhaustion and reduced personal time.

- Less flexibility: Traditional office work often restricts autonomy over schedules, making it more difficult to accommodate personal or mental health needs.

- More distractions: Open office environments can be noisy, overwhelming, and less conducive to deep work.

So, So What?

For those of us working from the office, how can we counter some of the adverse effects on our mental health due to this type of work?

For me, when I work from the office, I turn my commute into a wellness ritual that helps me manage the stress and extra hours it adds to my day. I have the privilege (Thanks, Mike!) of leaving very early, avoiding traffic, and using the time to listen to podcasts, music, and enjoy my coffee; honestly, I consider it a wellness ritual.

I need to actively manage my calendar to support my mental health while working from the office. This includes leveraging the early morning quiet hours for focused work, blocking end-of-day travel time, and saying 'No' to meetings during these protected times. It doesn't always stick, but I believe work-life balance is something you need to actively manage, and it becomes increasingly challenging.

Finding Balance: Hybrid & Personalized Work Models

Many companies, including my current employer, are adopting hybrid work models that allow employees to split their time between home and the office. This approach offers both structure and flexibility, reducing stress while maintaining social connections. In addition to seeking employees who provide hybrid flexibility, individuals can also create intentional work habits to support mental health, such as:

✔️ Setting boundaries for work hours, whether remote or in-office

✔️ Prioritizing social interactions to maintain relationships

✔️ Adjusting environments for focus, relaxation, and productivity

What Role do Employers Play in Supporting Our Mental Health, at Home or in the Office

Employers play a crucial role in shaping workplace mental health, regardless of whether employees work remotely or in an office setting. A supportive work environment fosters increased productivity, engagement, and overall well-being. By offering mental health resources, promoting work-life balance, addressing workplace stressors, and providing management with mental health training, employers can have a positive impact on employees' mental health.

The Best Work Setup Is One That Supports Your Well-Being

While both working from home and working in an office have mental health benefits and drawbacks, establishing a routine that aligns with your needs, lifestyle, and mental wellness goals is essential. The most effective work model prioritizes balance, self-care, and sustainable productivity tailored to you.

Let's keep the conversations going in the comments. Are you pro-work-from-home or office?

Additional Reading on Drifting Towards Simplicity

Combat Sunday Scaries: Work-Life Balance Tips | Drifting Towards Simplicity

Achieving Work-Life Balance: Embrace Simplicity for a Simpler Life

Keeping Up with Work When Depressed: Tips for Mental Health Balance

Additional Remote Work vs. Office Work Resources

Office vs. Home: Which Work Environment Better Supports Mental Well-Being?

5 ways to improve employee mental health

Reshaping work environments to promote and protect mental health

The content on Drifting Towards Simplicity is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment—please seek support from a licensed professional if needed.