Do you feel better about yourself?
You should.
The benefits of telecommuting go beyond work productivity and quality.
We aren’t even talking about the money you and your company will save — you, traveling to the office; them, the real estate, utilities and supplies you need to get your job done.
We’re talking about the overall health benefits you will notice when you start to spend more time at home.
We’re better at being
A 2010 study at Durham University in the United Kingdom showed workers who have more control over their work schedules are physically and mentally healthier than their peers.
Researchers linked flexible work schedules, telecommuting and partial retirement to health benefits.
The benefits include:
✓ Lower blood pressure
✓ Lower heart rate
✓ Better quality sleep
✓ More overall energy throughout the day
Dr. Clare Bambra, one of the researchers, noted the benefits don’t necessarily derive from our work schedules. More likely, “the control at work is good for health.”
That ties to another, more recent survey that found telecommuting workers see improvements in stress level, morale, productivity and absenteeism.
Peace from the office
Yet another study, conducted in 2011, showed telecommuters are less stressed and have higher job satisfaction, and learned the reasons why.
Kathryn L. Fonner, at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and Michael E. Roloff, at Northwestern University, asked 200 workers about stress levels, job satisfaction and work-life balance.
The remote workers reported three key reasons for their relaxed attitudes toward life and employment:
1. They’re free from office politics.
2. Meetings and interruptions are less frequent.
3. They’re out of the office quicker because they don’t have to commute.
We telecommuters have it a bit easier, although we have to make more effort to be “visible” to our colleagues and supervisors.
Me? Working from home allows me more time to schedule runs and bikes, walk the dog or spend time with my long-distance fiancé (he works remote, too).
All those side benefits make for a happier, healthier me, not even considering a micromanaging boss peering over my shoulder at every turn.
How about you? Have you noticed any changes in your health since you switched to telework?
