Page 40 - IntraMuros November 2021
P. 40
LIFESTYLE
WORKING FROM HOME FATIGUE
By Nicoleen Davies, Life Talk Forum
he world of work has changed are generally experiencing longer working For those who require training, mentoring
dramatically over the past two years days, with days starting earlier and ending and supervision to grow in their roles,
Tand we all have to adapt, showcasing later because you are home. Boundaries remote working will be challenging.
the resilience of human nature. become very important to counter this.
Work from home fatigue defined
The reality is working as a grudge activity For many, working at home is a challenge. Fatigue can be mental or physical by nature
but an essential one. When we were all Not every home is a happy home and that and obviously both can apply. Physically,
office bound, we complained about the is a big factor. For many, the workplace or sitting for long periods because there are less
long hours, the commute, the stress, being school environment is an escape from their distractions can cause back, neck and wrist
exhausted and having no time. COVID-19 home-life reality, so that is undoubtedly a pain, even eye strain. The mental fatigue
forced us to stay home, work remotely huge challenge. generally presents as a lack of motivation,
and adapt to a new way of working. Some of feeling disconnected or isolated; being
people love it, others don’t, but “Working In traditional workspaces everyone has moody, feeling lonely and generally being
from Home Fatigue” (WFH Fatigue) is a new the same environment but for virtual co- unhappy with your working environment.
reality. Work fatigue has shifted from the workers, this can be completely different. Another cause of home burnout includes
office to the home. Issues arise, such as lack of privacy or a lack of boundaries between work and
personal space, through having to share home life and being overworked as a result.
Personally, I side with the people who space with family members. Being de- Many also experience a disconnection
enjoy it because of the benefits. The energised to work from home could be from their peers and need the structure
flexibility has reduced the business of life directly linked to the environment. of the workplace. These symptoms can be
with less rushing about; we see more of transient in nature or a sign of burnout.
each other in the home, and from a pure We are all different too. People with internal
work perspective, the days feel more motivation are generally self-starters and An additional remote working stress
productive because time is used effectively just get on with the job at hand, generally factor could be not being visible in the
with no passage ‘chitchats’, no time wasted enjoying flexibility and will cope well with workplace, presenting as feeling insecure
walking between meetings, no extended remote working. Others are externally about one’s job.
lunch or coffee breaks. Not having to spend motivated and need the office work-life
hours in traffic translates into reduced structure, with managers and processes to Adjusting to relying on technology to
stress and gives one more time (and family direct their daily activities, allowing little communicate and collaborate for day-
time) in the day. On the other hand, we flexibility, to function best. to-day work has also been a challenge.
38 | INTRAMUROS NOVEMBER 2021