Home-Based Work: Strategies to Cope with Solitude Instantly

Working from home can be a solitary experience, but it doesn't have to be. Loneliness is a common issue faced by remote workers, but recognising it early and taking proactive steps can help combat feelings of isolation.

Remote work can trigger loneliness due to a lack of casual interaction, fewer opportunities for feedback, disrupted routines, and mental health strain. However, there are several self-care tips and strategies to maintain emotional well-being and prevent loneliness.

Self-Care Tips for Emotional Well-being

Practicing mindfulness: Mindfulness can help you stay present and focused on the task at hand, reducing feelings of anxiety and loneliness.
Moving the body: Regular exercise, whether it's a morning run or an afternoon yoga session, can boost your mood and energy levels.
Keeping a gratitude journal: Writing down things you're grateful for each day can help shift your focus away from negative thoughts and towards positivity.

Scheduling daily or weekly check-ins with an accountability buddy: Sharing goals and celebrating progress can help keep you motivated and connected.
Building small habits: Small acts of social interaction, such as sending a daily message to a friend or family member, can help combat feelings of loneliness.
Scheduling video calls: Replacing emails with video calls can help recreate the casual interaction often missed in remote work.
Joining online communities: Participating in virtual yoga classes, book clubs, language exchanges, or gaming communities can provide social interaction and a sense of belonging.
Limiting social media doom-scrolling: Replacing aimless scrolling with intentional social interactions like video calls or group chats can help combat loneliness.

Creating a dedicated workspace: Setting up a desk in a quiet area can help maintain a work-life balance and provide a sense of routine.
Using co-working spaces: Working from a co-working space can provide opportunities for casual interaction and a change of scenery.
Scheduling non-work social time: Planning social activities outside of work can help maintain a balance between work and personal life.
Starting a morning ritual with connection: Whether it's a morning coffee chat with a friend or family member, starting the day with a connection can help set a positive tone.

Resources for Remote Workers

Joining online communities: The best online communities for remote workers include Reddit remote work groups, LinkedIn professional communities, and Slack channels designed for digital professionals.
Finding an accountability buddy: This can be done through LinkedIn groups, Reddit forums, or professional communities.
Online volunteering: Platforms like Catchafire, Idealist, or VolunteerMatch can help find opportunities for online volunteering, providing a sense of purpose and connection.

Loneliness can negatively impact productivity, causing focus issues, loss of motivation, increased risk of burnout, and mental health decline. According to a recent Gallup report, approximately 25% of remote workers experience frequent feelings of isolation. However, strategies to combat loneliness in remote work have been developed and led by experts such as Elena Oster, head of the initiative against loneliness at Malteser Bundeszentrale since 2025, and Katharina Roth, managing director of nebenan.de Stiftung, which builds community engagement to prevent loneliness.

The World Health Organization reports that social isolation can increase the risk of depression by 30%. Therefore, it's crucial to prioritise self-care, build social connections, and create a social work routine to maintain emotional well-being while working remotely.