How to Deal with Employee Fatigue, Loneliness and Isolation

The pandemic continues as the cases stay at four digits. We understand that self-isolation and social distancing are necessary, but these changes also lead to psychological effects, such as feelings of fatigue, isolation, and loneliness. So, how do we deal with it?

Employee Fatigue

Many employees have transitioned to remote working. One issue that may arise from remote working is that many employees find themselves working into late nights. This practice always leads to burnout. Some employees also feel isolated as they cannot participate in physical meetings and limited social interactions with co-workers.

We need to maintain good communication with our employees to fight fatigue and isolation.

Here are a few things our employees can do to make remote working more bearable:

Set up a dedicated workspace.
Where possible, select a workspace with natural light.
Create a schedule to prevent overworking.
Change out of pyjamas and get dressed for the workday.
Sustain a healthy diet and remember to drink water.
Take breaks, as many employees forget to take breaks when working from home.

The main reason why working at home is challenging is that people tend to ignore breaks. Also, not sticking to a schedule can negatively affect productivity and mental and physical health. It would also be helpful to have lunch without facing the monitor.

While dressing up for work could help, overworking until late night is not healthy for you.

Isolation

Whether we are in quarantine or just self-isolating, being confined to our home with low social interactions can affect our mental health. We need to have strategies to keep us going strong during this MCO. Here are some tactics we can use:

Plan a daily routine. When you have a routine, it will give you a structure for your day so you will not feel lost.
Stay updated with news, but only read from reputable sources as misinformation spreads very easily.
Stay active. Go for a walk or a jog, while practising social distancing.
Keep in touch with your friends and family.
Discover a healthy distraction. Acquire a new hobby or practise a skill you've been procrastinating.

Loneliness

Loneliness is a personal experience, and everyone experiences it differently. Some employees may not experience it at all, while others cannot get used to loneliness for some time.

Remember that all feelings are valid, and you are not the only one feeling this way. There is no shame in feeling lonely. It may be easier to share with others if you are struggling, and you are more likely to feel understood by others.

Employees may also address their needs with friends or family members as social support is a great way to stay connected. Some people may feel that loneliness is a never-ending feeling, so it is crucial to stay connected to yourself and understand that your feelings are valid.

Meditation or journaling can help you reflect on how you feel every day. According to the Australian Psychological Society, people experience loneliness because it is a sign for them to reach out and connect with others.

We should also stay connected with our professional and personal networks. Nowadays, there are many ways to keep in touch with people, no matter where they are. A weekly online video call, online gaming or family video chat can help you feel connected to our support system.

Self-Care

It has been over a year since the pandemic began. We have known that the "norm" is not relevant anymore as there are so many drastic changes. It's easy to feel disoriented by these changes, which is why it's necessary to care for our mental health.

One way to do so is through self-care. When we find a way to care for our mental health, it means that we are willing to do some work to find out what makes us feel fulfilled and satisfied.

We are also willing to try and achieve a greater balance between physical and mental health.

Everyone has their own self-care routines, but what is important is we need to practice activities that make us feel good and fulfilled. If you're not sure on how to start, here are some basic self-care tips:

Get enough sleep. It's a fundamental thing that people often fail to do.
Eat healthily. We understand that during MCO, we might find it harder to shop for healthy food. Nevertheless, we should always try to cut down on unhealthy food.
Exercise. We cannot go to the gym right now, but we can always try at home. Keyword "Try", because we understand how challenging it is right now to even do the simplest things.
Limit your screen time. It's not enough we stare at the monitor throughout the workday; we're also staring at it after work. Give your eyes a break.
Spend some time outside. Just walk around the neighbourhood, it's alright. Just don't get too close to people.

Additionally, we can also practice self-compassion. If you're feeling lonely, do not deny it. Acceptance is the first step towards change. We are all in this together.

Source: Homewood Health

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