Supporting Your Remote Team's Mental Health During Downturns
Many companies have transitioned into a remote working system since this COVID-19 surge. However, while working from home has its benefits, it can have a detrimental effect on a person's mental health. For example, working from home can be lonely for some people. This could also cause some workers to lose motivation in getting their work done. When managing a remote team during this unprecedented time, it's important to be aware of the impact isolation has on their performance. How can you best support the mental health of your remote team? Here are four ways you can do this.
Encourage Break Periods
It's very vital to encourage your team to take periodic breaks. Sitting behind a computer all day will cause a lot of stress on them. Encourage them to step away from the computer for 5-10 minutes. Suggest non-work positive activities they could do besides eating. They will feel more refreshed and focused when they come back to their work.
Emphasize the Importance of Sleep
Sleep is very beneficial to the human brain health. Research shows that sleep helps remove toxins stored up in your brain while you are awake. It affects almost every type of tissue and system in your body. That's why you must stress your team the importance of getting quality amounts of sleep every night. They will not be able to function without it. Most adults need 7-9 hours of sleep.
Hold Virtual Online Chats
Because it could get lonely for some people working from home, why not have some occasional up building video chats on Zoom? Schedule a day every week to have a special meeting with your team. Try to don't talk about the company or work too much. Motivate them to open up about how have they've been adapting to remote work. Some of your employees may have children. In that case, ask other employees with children to reach out to them for encouragement in balancing work and family.
Encourage a Balanced Diet and Lifestyle
What you eat and your lifestyle has a huge impact on your mental health. That's why your team must maintain a healthy diet and an active lifestyle. Consider sending emails to them about healthy food tips or simple exercise techniques they can do at home. If they follow these useful tips, it will not only benefit their minds. It will show in their work performance.
When managing a remote work team during this time, you have to consider the impact isolation has on them. But by following these four ways to support their mental health, you will have a flourishing, productive group of workers.