Benefits of working from home in isolation

Working from home in isolation has become increasingly popular over the past few years. It offers many benefits, such as increased flexibility and freedom, but that doesn’t mean it’s for everyone. Working remotely can lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation, which can have a negative effect on someone’s mental health, productivity and communication with coworkers

However, there are also upsides to being isolated when working remotely. This article will look at the upsides of working from home, away from the office and list the many positives like financial benefits and work satisfaction. 

Why isolation can be a good thing

Isolation is defined as ‘the state of being in a place of situation that is separate from others’, Despite the negative connotations of isolation it isn’t always a bad thing. Humans are hardwired to need some social interaction, whether this is in person or through our phones, not to mention the fact that one of the biggest punishments for prisoners is solitary confinement. 

So how can it be a good thing?

In an interview done by The Atlantic, Matthew Bowker, a psychoanalytic political theorist, who researched solitude at the Medaille College states that “a person who can find a rich self-experience in a solitary state is far less likely to feel lonely when alone.” Being able to function in isolation can be a fulfilling experience that holds many benefits! 

Isolation can boost creativity and productivity

We understand that isolation isn’t for everyone, however, some studies have shown that solitude, and creative thinking are both linked. When we are alone, we are left with our thoughts and imagination, thoughts of which can foster creativity.

While being with other people is a crucial part to being human, being alone can allow us to tap into our more creative sides without feeling the need for approval, or, feeling concerned about what others may think. This can lead to that creative spark. 

Leading on from this, while working in an office or as a group can be beneficial in its own right, it can also be distracting and limit your ideas/creativity. Working alone can therefore increase your overall productivity as you can focus all of your energy into one task at a time.

What are the benefits?

Productivity

Without the distractions of a busy workplace, you can focus more intently on your work, increasing your ability to concentrate and get more done in less time. This can lead to greater job satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment in your work. Working in isolation can promote creativity and innovation, allowing you to think more freely and outside the box. This can lead to new and exciting ideas and solutions to problems.

Additionally, isolation allows you to work in an environment that suits your needs, which can help increase productivity. Without the distractions of a traditional workplace, you can set your own pace and focus more intently on your work.

Work Satisfaction and health

Working in a peaceful and familiar environment can reduce stress and anxiety associated with traditional workplaces. This can lead to higher job satisfaction and a greater sense of well-being.

This can also lead to improved health, as you have more control over your environment and can take more breaks to stretch or exercise throughout the day. With better control over your daily meals and snacks, you can also maintain a healthier, more balanced diet.

One study found that ‘22% more people say they are happier in their jobs if they can work from home than those that can’t’, this is likely due to the many benefits that come from working in isolation. 

Less Distractions

One challenge many individuals face when working from home are distractions. However, working from home in isolation helps solve this problem. You are no longer distracted by family members, kids or pets; dedicating a specific space to your work, like an office is a great way to achieve distraction free work.

One challenge many individuals may face when working in an office are the distractions. Being surrounded by colleagues can be very distracting, so much so that a recent study found that 99% of employees say they are distracted from their tasks sometime during their workday’, and another 48% said that these distractions made it difficult for them to focus’. 

While there will no doubt be some distractions when working from home in isolation, not being surrounded by other employees means you can focus all of that attention on your work without losing your focus.

Expand your team

For employers, when it comes to hiring you want to ensure you’ve got the perfect person for the job, however, this can be limited by your location. Enabling employees to work in isolation from the comfort of their homes opens up your business to more talent! 

One survey found that remote jobs attract 2.2x as many candidates as non remote jobs. This opens you up to a much more versatile workforce. And, in addition to gaining new talent, enabling your employees to work from home will result in significant benefits to employee retention. As people will become generally more satisfied with their workplace, they will be less likely to leave, meaning you don’t lose talented workers to another business. 

Final Thoughts

Working from home in isolation can bring a number of benefits, both to the individual and to the organisation. It can provide a better work/life balance, financial savings, increased productivity and work satisfaction, as well as creative stimulation through isolation. Ultimately, while some people can struggle to adjust to working in isolation, you cannot deny the variety of benefits that come with it. 

While it is important to maintain social connections, working in isolation can be beneficial for the right person. With careful planning and consideration of all aspects of working in isolation, it can be an effective way to get things done efficiently while still enjoying life both inside and outside of work.