W orking from home means you don’t have to go far from your bed in the morning, cut down on the traveling cost, swerve office drama, and stay in your PJs all day long. If you think about it, it all seems perfect. But, to be honest, it’s not as great as it sounds because of the resounding loneliness on most days.
Human contact is essential. Working in isolation can directly impact productivity levels. So, to avoid getting stuck in a rut, learn how to socialize if you work from home.
Join Non-Work Related Forums
Official channels often don’t allow for an informal chat. And without informal discussion, it is pretty impossible to socialize in a close capacity. In this case, it is ideal for joining non-work-related forms such as WhatsApp groups, Facebook groups, Slack channels to discuss hobbies, Spotify playlists, swapping recipes and poetries, etc.
This is the easiest way to get to know people from the office while working remotely.
Have Virtual Fun Outside Of House Hours
When we work on-site, the most convenient way of bonding is during those coffee breaks, right? However, there is no reason that we can’t do that while working from home. So, arrange virtual coffee breaks, make coffee in your kitchen, and have a good time with your peers. This is also a great way to bond with people you don’t directly work with to expand your social circle.
See Each Other’s Home Offices
Let’s be honest — we all are a little curious about what our colleagues’ houses look like, right? In addition, it can help us understand who they are as individuals, allowing us to paint the picture during multiple conversations. So, why limit yourself to your imagination? Giving your co-workers a tour of your house’s office space and seeing their house offices via virtual can be fun!
This activity can help us understand each other better, extend empathy, and respect differences based on different cultures and backgrounds!
Have Virtual Events
Work events are another traditional way of encouraging harmony in the office. It helps people see each other outside of work capacity, allowing burgeoning friendships. However, working remotely doesn’t have to be all gloomy. You can arrange and attend virtual events, such as talent shows, competitions, panel talks, etc., to get to know people and strike conversations! It could be fun, so don’t miss out on them.
Have Fun Fridays
Many big corporations often arrange fun Fridays and call it beer o'clock by providing free beers to everyone after office hours. This event helps in enabling light-hearted conversations between colleagues and promoting trust and friendship. So, just because you and your team are working from home doesn’t mean you have to miss out on fun Fridays. Instead, arrange virtual parties, swap playlists, clink your bottles through the screen, and have fun!
Have Mental Health Days
While socializing with your office peers is suitable for a healthy work-life, it is vital not to forget about your life outside of the computer screen. Take some time away from your laptops, go out, take a stroll, talk to a friendly neighbor. It is imperative to take breaks from work to prioritize your mental health. This break should energize you and help you socialize better in the following days!
Find Co-working Slot
Finding a space to work in with other co-workers who live in your city is a great way to overcome social distancing in remote work. Many companies permit their employees to find a co-working space to serve as an informal office setting, which is a great way to socialize working from home professionals.
Arrange Video Calls
Last but not least, if you absolutely have no other option but to work from home, then arrange video calls to communicate with your bosses and colleagues. Over-the-text conversations are usually monotonous and hinder any chance to socialize with your mates.
Being able to talk to people face-to-face helps create rapport and remember that the person on the other side of the screen is also a human being. Hearing other people’s voices can help break the monotony and pave the way for meaningful interactions.
The bottom line is that you must take care of your mental well-being when working remotely. Learn how to socialize if you work from home to curb loneliness and low productivity! It’s not that hard, just start from anywhere and go from there!
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This post is tagged in:
- How To Socialize If You Work From Home
- Remote work
- Work from home
