After the success of remote work during the initial stages of the pandemic, more companies are switching to a fully remote or hybrid workplace. Although there are numerous advantages to working from home for employees, there can also be some drawbacks. 

A significant problem many people have when working from home is FoMo – the fear of missing out. FoMo can make you feel like you’re missing crucial social interactions or watercooler chitchat.  

One of the biggest reasons workers plan to return to the office is FoMo. Research suggests that of 1,000 people, 94% of people are ready to return to the office once a week, while 46% are ready to return full-time. 

If you currently work from home but miss the interaction of working in person, there are several simple tips to try to help you manage FoMo and stay productive. 

Establish a Dedicated Workspace

When you’re working at home, it’s easy to feel unmotivated and unproductive. As a result, you may struggle with getting into a good routine or staying on task. And if you compare your progress to co-workers, you may feel like you’re slacking or not measuring up.

Setting up a dedicated workspace is a great way to establish a familiar work routine. The feeling of being in a professional environment can make it easier to focus on working.

Share a Workspace 

Consider a shared workspace if you’re used to working in a bustling environment with numerous people. If you and your spouse are both working from home, create an office space you can share to remind you of the camaraderie of working with colleagues.

Or you could take your work to a coffee shop or park. The low background noise lets you pretend you’re back in the office while enjoying a more relaxed environment. Studies also show that working outside in nature can reduce stress, boost creativity, and increase productivity. 

Define Set Work Hours

When working at home, it’s easy to lose track of time and become distracted by friends, family, and tasks around the house. Setting specific work hours establishes a more structured routine and minimizes distractions. 

A routine also helps you compartmentalize your work and social life, improving your time management and allowing you to enjoy pursuits other than work. 

When you’re focused on work and let other things fall to the wayside, you’re likely to experience higher stress levels and feelings of FoMo. However, just because you have access to working at any time from home doesn’t mean that you should. Create a routine and stick to it so you have time to enjoy your life outside of work.

Avoid Social Media During Work Hours

Social media is the number one source of FoMo for people working from home. Numerous studies suggest that scrolling through social media can adversely impact your mental health, leading to feelings of inadequacy, loneliness, and anxiety. 

Limit your social media browsing to after work hours. If you struggle to avoid social media, try a program, such as BlockSite, AppBlock, or Freedom. These apps block social media sites (and many other distracting websites) for a set time. Many of these apps work across multiple browsers and devices, so you won’t be tempted to scroll through your smartphone if your web browser is blocked.

Stay Professionally Connected

Many people experience FoMo due to a lack of social interaction while working from home. Many professionals fear missing out on networking opportunities that could help advance their careers.

One poll revealed that in a study of 30 people, 56% (3 in 5) had concerns about missing networking opportunities. And 13% of those surveyed were worried about the lack of access to mentors. 

Working from home may make you miss out on lunches with co-workers, bosses, or partners. Or it may reduce your interactions with clients or advanced staff. Reduced interactions with experienced staff can affect performance and production for younger generations. 

Increased communication is crucial for preventing FoMo. Counteract FoMo by using programs like Slack, Skype, or Zoom. These programs make it easy to have face-to-face conversations without being close by.

Forget About FoMo When WFH 

Spending time outdoors to setting and sticking to a schedule can help you overcome FoMo when facing the isolation of working from home. If you are entering the workforce and are interested in a WFH position, you can find numerous remote jobs at JobsFuel.com. The search tool is simple to use, allowing you to filter results by keyword or location.