Flexible remote working makes people happier, according to a four-year study conducted by scientists
Here’s are the real-world benefits to working from home, explained by science.
A recent four-year investigation led by the University of South Australia sheds fresh light on how working from home affects people’s health, happiness, and job performance - and the results are just what you want to hear.
The research started before the pandemic and followed workers through lockdowns, giving the scientists a clearer picture of how remote work really works.
One of the study’s most striking findings relates to rest and stress levels. Employees who opted to work from home reported significantly better sleep: on average, an extra half-hour each night.
Mental well-being also improved over time. While there was a short-term spike in anxiety or heavier alcohol use during lockdowns, those effects eased. Once forced isolation was not enforced, many felt less tired overall and more mentally settled.
Changes also showed up in what people ate. With more access to home kitchens, many of those involved in the study opted for healthier food: more fruits, veggies, dairy. While indulgences such as snacking and less rigorous routines were more common during lockdowns, overall the trend tilted toward better nutrition.
A big concern among suspicious managers has been whether remote work drags down output, that we’re all secretly watching TV instead of filling in the spreadsheets. But the research counters that worry: when workers have the option to work remotely, performance stays the same, or even improves.
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OK, I’ll be fair: working apart isn’t without its drawbacks. Team cohesion, culture, mentorship, and spontaneous collaboration suffer when in-person contact is limited. The study says these aren’t fatal weaknesses, but there are certainly two sides of the coin when it comes to skipping out on entering the office.
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