How Remote Work Saved My Physical and Mental Health
Lessons Learned From COVID-19
In 2017, I got hired as a copywriter in Metro Manila. It was my first job straight out of college. I was young and eager to prove myself.
Every day, I would commute to work. First, I’d walk from my home to the jeepney stop. I’d ride the jeepney to the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) station, navigating jam-packed roads and hellish traffic, only to then walk up a long flight of stairs to the train platform where I’d then have to wait in line (often, a long line that started at the bottom of the high staircase) to get a ticket.
Once I had a ticket, I’d squeeze into the crowded trains, clutching my bag to my chest, hoping pick-pockets wouldn’t use the opportunity to steal my wallet or mobile phone. I’d clutch a pole for balance or, if I was unlucky that day, I’d lean against other people to avoid toppling over as the train is moving.
Sometimes, instead of commuting to work by MRT, I’d ride a bus. City buses in EDSA were always full of people, just like the trains. And it often took longer for me to get to work. But I often preferred the bus to the MRT because I had a better chance of snagging a seat and relaxing as I rode the two-hour traffic jam to my office.
This was my reality for about two years. At the time, I just accepted that this is what it’s like to be an employee in the Philippines.
Road to Burnout
The commute on its own took four hours out of my daily routine, not even counting having to wake up early in the morning to prepare for work and get dressed in corporate-friendly attire. Add in the nine (or more) hours spent at the office.
I barely had time for my family, for hobbies, or anything outside of my office job. My world revolved around my work. And once I got home from the office, it was hard to relax because I knew that, on the next day, I’d have to do that whole routine all over again.
Since my Philippine-based company catered to US and UK clients, we sometimes had to work on night shift schedules. I remember struggling to stay awake past midnight, binging coffee and snacks to keep my energy going.
Whenever I got stuck in the graveyard shift, I’d find myself accidentally falling asleep on the ride home, sometimes almost missing my bus stop. And I was often too exhausted to really care.
A Chance to Freelance
By 2019, I was already incredibly burned out. That was the year I decided to quit my full-time job and try my hand at freelancing.
The reason I saw freelance as the answer to my problems instead of simply searching for a steady new job was because, at the time, most companies in the country did not allow remote work arrangements. I was tired of the commute and wanted to try working from home, so freelancing became my world for the next few years.
I took on copywriting and editing jobs, social media work, content research, SEO content creation, and all sorts of freelance digital marketing gigs.
Then, in 2020, the COVID-19 outbreak came to my country, and my priorities started to shift again.
The Global Pandemic Changes Everything
As the COVID-19 pandemic swept the nation, our then-president declared a nationwide lockdown and quarantine period. Aside from frontline workers and essential service providers, no one could leave their homes and go to work.
Businesses were shut down, operations ceased, employees laid off.
I remember feeling especially sorry for small business owners who had just gotten their start prior to the pandemic. Those whose startups depended on people going out to eat instead of ordering food deliveries like samgyupsal restaurants.
Everyone had to suddenly adapt to the new normal and find ways to earn money without leaving home.
During this time, I craved job security and stability — something which freelancing couldn’t exactly provide.
Thankfully, I was then given the opportunity to work as a content writer for a BPO that offered work-from-home arrangements.
Remote Work Saves the Day
After almost two years of working from home full-time, I’ve become a staunch advocate for this arrangement because it saved my physical and mental health in two simple ways: reducing my stress levels and giving me more time out of my day.
Less Stress
In my first job, I worked onsite every day and had to commute through EDSA. Filipino workers will understand how stressful it can be to wait for hours in a long line just to get on the MRT platform, only to then endure a crowded, claustrophobia-inducing train ride every day. Or take a chance on the availability of city buses and struggle through the time- and energy-draining traffic.
During office hours, I would also be so stressed out that I’d binge-eat junk food, fast food, and coffee to get through my shift.
It was during this time that I was at my heaviest, with my BMI reaching (and staying put in) the Obese range. Since I barely had time for myself outside of work, I avoided going to the doctor and using up my sick leaves.
When I started working from home, I quickly realized how much of my stress came from the daily grind of commuting.
Of course, WFH can still be stressful (there’s really no such thing as a job without any stress), but at least, you’re able to save your energy for work and then relax once your shift is done. You won’t have to worry about accidentally falling asleep on the bus and pick-pockets stealing your wallet.
You won’t have to worry about whether you’ll be able to catch the next train on time because you worked overtime. You won’t have to worry about finding a place to eat dinner because you can prepare a meal for yourself at home or order takeout easily.
Working from home allowed me to manage my stress better, which helped me eat healthier, pay better attention to my overall health and well-being, and learn to relax once my work is done.
More Time
The greatest gift remote work has ever given me is more time. Instead of spending four hours or more on commuting, I now have more time to sleep, more time to spend with my family and pets, and more time for rest and leisure.
Those extra few hours have done wonders for my health and well-being.
These days, when I wake up in the morning, I don’t have to rush while eating breakfast or taking a shower because I don’t have a train or bus to catch. I can just take some time to breathe and enjoy life.
While working from home during the pandemic, I’ve also started exercising more and taking care of my health by scheduling visits to my doctor whenever I need it.
Let’s All Strive for Work-Life Balance Together!
When I was a student, I focused so much on school and didn’t have much of a social life. Then, when I graduated college and got my first job, my life revolved around work.
Thanks in part to the pandemic and the rise of remote work, I’ve re-evaluated my priorities… and I’m much happier for it.
Although I still take pride in my career and strive to do my best at my job every day, I now see the indispensable value of setting work-life boundaries and achieving a healthy balance between your personal and professional development.
My advice to all of you: Let’s work to live instead of living to work.
Good luck out there, everyone!
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