Experts Found That Work-From-Home Set Up Can Cause Higher Stress Levels

Experts Found That Work-From-Home Set Up Can Cause Higher Stress Levels

Despite the comfort of working from home amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, this setup may lead to higher stress levels, according to experts. 

In a report by JM Encinas on “Stand for Truth” last Tuesday, the  United Nations International Labour Organization has found that the increased dependence of an employee on their work gear such as laptops and mobile phones could be associated with higher stress levels. The reason behind such a phenomenon is how it creates the habit of constantly checking their gadgets. Another reason for stress that they have identified is the boundary between work and household in a Work-From-Home set-up is blurred. 

Department of Labor and Employment’s Employment Cluster Assistant Secretary Nikki Tutay said in an interview:

“It could be stressful kasi sometimes hindi na natin na-rerealize yung boundaries natin between work and family setup or household setup. So hindi mo alam na napo-prolong mo ’yung time mo for working or dahil nasa bahay ka anytime accessible ka.”

She further explained that when boundaries are crossed, stress builds up and may lead to loss of motivation, anxiety, and depression.

Aside from boundaries between work and household chores, to have efficient work from home set-up, one must have a conducive working environment to avoid distractions. In the interview, Tutay also identified tardiness, lack of focus, missed deadlines, and never-ending fatigue as some symptoms of work-from-home induced stress. 

On the other hand, Dr. Randy Dellosa, a psychiatrist, said that not all of those who work from home experience overstress. According to him, some workers, in fact, experience the opposite, but with the same results.

He further explained:

“Kapag under stress tayo ang ibig sabihin nito ay nasa relaxation o vacation mode tayo at at dahil dito mababawasan o mawawalan tayo ng motivation, drive, interest at will power na gawin ang trabaho.”

The psychiatrist added that when a person is overstressed, our system will keep on pumping adrenaline to cope with the stress, and when our body gets worn out doing so, our energy gets depleted thus leading to depression. 

Dr. Delossa suggested that those who have work-related anxiety should maintain a system, give themselves time to rest, and have a work-life balance. 

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