The Health Benefits of Working from Home

In the UK, half a million people have experienced work-related stress at a level that makes them unwell.

Work-related stress can occur due to a number of reasons - from an excessive workload to unrealistic deadlines, undue pressure or unpleasant relationships with colleagues. Stress can impact individuals in different ways too and symptoms can vary - from becoming anxious to feeling sick, experiencing chest pains or dropping/gaining weight.

Fortunately, there are ways to reduce the impact of work-related stress. First and foremost, it’s always advisable to seek help from someone you trust. This may involve speaking to your manager, company’s occupational health service, HR department or your GP. Recognising the cause of stress will help you and those supporting you to come up with a solution.

Sometimes a change in the working environment can have a positive impact, for example, working from home. Since the start of the Coronavirus pandemic, working from home has become the norm for millions around the world. Sadly, it hasn’t been the stress-taming solution that many will have envisioned due to the new added pressures and uncertainties - from pay cuts to juggling work with childcare and feeling isolated. In normal circumstances, however, working from home can be beneficial for both your mental and physical health.

Some of the health benefits of working from home include:

• Eradicates commute-related stress
• Would-be commuting time can be used for rest or a hobby
• Increased safety (no commute-related accidents)
• Reduces exposure to toxins from exhaust fumes
• Aids better sleep quality
• Improves work-life balance
• Working environment can be more comfortable and tailored to your needs
• Healthy eating habits can be maintained more easily
• Workouts can be scheduled at convenient times
• More freedom for precious family time
• Mental health breaks can be taken when required

To truly reap the benefits of working from home, a dedicated workspace is essential. This should ideally be a separate room that is free from distractions and is equipped with a comfortable workstation. For example, an ergonomic office chair is recommended to offer greater support whilst an adjustable desk is preferred to ensure that it’s the right height for you. Investing in the right chair and desk will help you to adopt a good posture which is important for your health, wellbeing and productivity.

Having a dedicated workspace sounds great in theory but understandably this isn’t always possible. Many households don’t have the extra space and the cost of moving, adding an extension or expanding up into the loft can be too costly. A more affordable solution is to invest in an insulated garden room that can be used as a home office all year round. In most cases, garden rooms don’t require planning permission and they can be built in a matter of weeks. As they’re a standalone building that is separate from your house, there will be no dust or debris making its way into your home during the build process (something that’s part and parcel of extensions).

Garden rooms are extremely versatile - they can be multi-purpose or split into two rooms to accommodate anything from an office with a separate lounge to an office with a separate gym or an office with a separate storage room.

If you’re thinking of working from home on a permanent basis and need extra space, a garden room from Outside In Garden Rooms could be the perfect solution. Find out more about our garden rooms and get in touch for a free no-obligation quote.