As April is Stress Awareness Month,, Instant Offices researched how the last year has affected employees mental health but also what business and individual employees can do to improve and support mental health.

As remote working has been the new normal for the last year, self-isolation and health-related anxiety have created a general sense of unease for many people. A YouGov survey showed that Covid had impacted the UK’s overall mood, with 41% of Brits feeling stressed and 38% feeling frustrated.

The Top 5 struggles for remote workers are currently:

1. Not being able to unplug: 27%
2. Difficulties with communication: 16%
3. Loneliness: 16%
4. Distractions at home: 15%
5. Staying motivated: 12%

Instant Offices discovered that in 2020 the biggest struggles for employees working from home was loneliness, difficulty communicating and balancing a work-life balance.

A surge in anxiety caused by the COVID-19 outbreak means managing and supporting mental health at work has never been more crucial. A 2020 survey revealed that 828,000 workers in the UK struggle with work-related stress, anxiety or depression.

Four Things Employees Can Do To Manage Stress

1. Get a Better Night’s Sleep: The number of Brits struggling with sleep problems has risen from one in six to one in four. Tips to get a sleep pattern include reducing caffeine intake, turning off screens, going to bed and getting up at the same time every day.

2. Take a Digital Detox: Now is a good time to limit the amount of media we consume due to the current situation’s uncertainty. The goal is to ensure you are informed enough to make decisions but not overloaded with news headlines that induces anxiety.

3. Be Strict Around Work-Life Balance: Schedule the day into bite-size chunks and work in waves. By working in waves, we become energised and find it easy to switch off from work when the end of the days comes. It’s crucial also to schedule enjoyable things in the evening.

4. Create a Calm Workspace: When deciding which space to work from, look for an area with natural light and temperate, fresh air, and minimal distractions. Space must be free of clutter and have comfortable furniture.

As workers are gradually starting to return to work, business’s needs to retain talent and put employees’ mental health first.