The Importance Of The Human Connection In The Context Of Modern WFH Culture

We all have heard the adage that we must look for the silver lining in grey clouds. Basically, this refers to the idea of optimism. As a species, we always try to look for the good things, even in bad situations. We are eternal optimists and always believe things will work out for the better.

Despite the immeasurable losses during the COVID-19 pandemic, there were still some things that could give us pause to reflect and perhaps say that these were the silver linings that have now become part of our daily lives. One such example would be work from home or WFH culture. It was well established that the tools and technology available for work-from-home culture were known long before the pandemic. However, there was undoubtedly a human resistance from the higher levels of corporate structures to implement this kind of system. A big consulting firm did a global report about how the pandemic ended up speeding up the adaptation of various digital practices by over five years. One such best practice is undoubtedly that of work-from-home culture.

Today, as we know, many companies have moved towards the hybrid model. That is the prevalent model in most of the corporate world today. In the hybrid model, you can choose which days you would like to work from home and which days you would like to go into the office if and when you may have some important meetings or appointments. This model has created a tremendous amount of flexibility and offers enormous benefits for employees because it means that they can not only spend more time with their families but also find time for themselves and prioritize keeping themselves as healthy and happy as possible.

However, as is the case with all things, there are always two sides to this coin. One thing that is talked about very prominently in global mental health discussions of today is how the pandemic brought forth many issues that people had kept buried down for a long time. It is a known fact that isolation from people, be they friends, family, or even social acquaintances, causes people to feel more depressed, anxious, and have a host of other mental issues.

This is why it is highly paramount to freelancers and other people who are engaged in the gig economy to make sure they are spending time outside of their own houses as well. Earlier during the pandemic, this requirement would mostly be met by places like coffee shops and so on, where freelancers could go and work for most of the day. However, this model has pivoted with the tremendous growth of coworking spaces. Coworking spaces are offices set up for people who want to use the facility and leave without having to invest in any office space or utilities of their own.

Most importantly, as it relates to what we have just been talking about, coworking spaces allow individual freelancers and people participating in the gig economy to feel a sense of community. It will enable them to have that social connection with other human beings that is important to maintain good mental health and feel connected to the rest of the world. This is not just applicable to freelancers and people in the gig economy. It is equally suitable for people who may be part of small startups or whose company has allowed them to engage in a 100% work-from-home model. It is paramount for these individuals to make sure that they put themselves in an environment where they can socialize with people for at least a few days a week.

As we move into the new age of WFH and hybrid working models, it is essential that we take along the good things from our past. Being able to talk to another human being, saying hello to someone you may not know, smiling at a co-worker or someone who shares the same working space as you do, or sitting and making small talk with other people during a coffee break, are all critical components in the endeavor to have a healthy and positive attitude at work. Doing these things and engaging in co-working spaces will give people a better grip on their mental health and help stop many problems at the source before they become serious. This is why it is essential for people who have the option to work from home all the time to consider using coworking spaces and, in so doing, make sure that they reestablish that human connection with other people. After all, we humans are deeply social beings, and interacting with one another is an intrinsic part of how we survive and thrive in life.

Conclusion

This is why it makes the most logical sense for freelancers, people in the gig economy, or people who can work in a complete WFH model to consider using the coworking space ecosystem. Consider trying out one of the many coworking spaces available to you, and make sure that you keep the human connection in your life, which is of paramount importance to your mental health.