By Evie Graham, Chetaru
We’ve all at some point in our lives experienced a pang of loneliness. But, today more than ever, it’s a real and crippling epidemic that’s sweeping the nation. Studies have revealed that over 9 million people in the UK regularly feel lonely, inclusive of professionals who work remotely. Life’s unavoidable circumstances can result in spending extended periods alone, however, if you relate to the above you may want to consider co-working.
Your workplace
Think about it. Take a moment to reflect.
Does the environment in which you work on a daily basis leave you feeling isolated? If you answered yes, you’re not alone.
The important step here is recognising that you may need to switch things up to make the most of your work life and avoid falling into loneliness.
Perhaps you’re a freelancer and your home is your workplace. You’ll resonate with the perks of free coffee and a comfy sofa quickly losing appeal when you’re faced with the prospect of absolutely no social interaction all day.
Co-working helps to prevent loneliness, won’t break the bank and comes with a wealth of other benefits too:
- Structure is essential for a good work-life balance, leaving the house each day to work in a consistent environment free of distractions can help productivity.
- Socialising is key to avoiding feeling lonely; we’re social creatures after all. Co-working spaces offer plenty of opportunity for this as you’ll be working alongside like-minded individuals.
- Inspiration. People motivate each other and through interacting with others and sharing ideas you’ll find you’re far more productive.
- Networking in co-working spaces is common, people want to learn from one another and make professional connections.
- Community. You will be a part of a community that you can identify with and be supported by. This can go even further with onsite events and gym facilities in many co-working spaces such as Business Central.
Remember: That loneliness can knock your mental health
Your mental well-being should always be a priority, both in and outside of your working life. Having previously worked as a freelancer I know how easy it is to dismiss the signs that you are in fact being affected by working in isolation. We all try to convince ourselves that we’re okay, despite the odds. This might be why the co-working industry is steadily growing. Freelancers or businesses can join a co-working environment with increasing ease.