Mental health doesn’t discriminate, even in the comfort of our own homes.

As Satsuma is a fully remote working team that openly communicates about our individual struggles, we would like to mark Mental Health Awareness Week by sharing our tips and tricks on what we find helps to keep the bad days at bay.

Here, our Social Media Executive, Kayley Flatt shares her day-to-day mental health checklist and ways that you can look after yourself and your mind while working from home. 

The facts and figures

A recent study has found that 81% of younger workers say they would feel more isolated without time in the office. 

But meanwhile another survey – equally well researched – has found that overall, more people felt working from home was better for their health and wellbeing (45%).

So which is it?

Some might say it’s horses for courses. While some flourish in the office, others prefer the calm and comfort of their own domain.

It also explains why, at Satsuma, we take a lot of time during our recruitment phase to make sure our new starters are sure that working from home is for them.

We then look for ways to support them remotely to make sure that they feel connected.

Here are some of my top tips for finding the right balance. 

Unlocking serenity and taking back control: my top five tips to a happier home office

Set boundaries: one of the major perks to remote work is flexibility. But acknowledge its challenges, like family distractions. Communicate your needs clearly, establish boundaries with both work and family, and prioritise quality time outside work hours.

Have a dedicated workspace: although working from bed is sometimes tempting, this can have a detrimental impact on your head. I think it’s important to dedicate a room or space in the house that is designated for work and which can be shut away once the day is done. This not only helps you to feel that you are “going to work” but also means that you can focus easier without any distractions. 

Affirmations: now I know that this one can seem a little bit strange to some people, but writing down your daily affirmations at the start of the day helps you to overcome negative thoughts, setting you up for a positive day ahead. I do it all the time and it’s less weird than it sounds. Start by writing down five things that you are grateful for and three things that you love about yourself and include some goals that you would like to achieve throughout the day. 

Get out of the house: one thing that I have been doing recently is making sure that I get some fresh air during the day, whether that is going for a walk or nipping to the post office – a change of scene is vital in ensuring that you don’t unintentionally isolate yourself from the outside world. It also refreshes your mind and increases productivity. 

Take a break: if you’ve ever felt guilty for needing a break away from your laptop, you shouldn’t. Just because we work from home, doesn’t mean that we don’t need a breather. Sometimes our heads need a screen break and, remote working or not – listen to your body and put yourself first. 

If you’re struggling, help is available: please call the Samaritans for FREE on 116 123, their line is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.