Workplace stress is a very real thing these days. Constant deadlines, targets, office politics, you name it, it causes stress.

We know that stress is also dangerous when it occurs over a prolonged period of time. With that in mind, working out ways to reduce stress levels is vital, if you want to remain not only happy but also healthy too. Stress is linked to heart disease, stroke, diabetes, obesity, depression, and anxiety – these are all conditions you do not want to invite into your life unnecessarily.

There are many stress management techniques to think about, including exercise, healthy eating, getting enough sleep, meditation, and taking a little time off, but if your job is the main cause of your stress, how about targeting that in particular? Dealing with the root cause is the ideal way to banish stress from your life, so identifying the exact reason you’re feeling overwhelmed is where you should focus your efforts. Is it your workload? Colleagues? Management? A lack of promotion opportunities? A general dislike of your role, or your role isn’t clear? The commute to work? There are countless reasons why work causes stress, and it’s a completely individual deal.

With all of this in mind, have you thought about remote working?

Many people find that working from home or from some far-flung corner of the world is enough to reduce their stress levels, increase their home and work-life balance, and ensure general happiness and job satisfaction to boot.

What is Remote Working?

Remote working is a form of flexible working, which allows an employee to work for their company in their specific role, but to do this away from the office environment. This can be working from home or it can be working whilst travelling. All you need is a stable and reliable Internet connection, a laptop or another type of suitable technology, and a willingness to motivate yourself to get the job done and beat distractions.

Many people who try remote working report feeling calmer, less stressed, happier, and more productive. You can go and see all those places around the world that you always wanted to see, and you can still maintain your income! It sounds idyllic, for sure, but always bear in mind that there are a few challenges to this type of work. The main two are centred around distractions and isolation. If you can avoid those two pitfalls, remote working can become a very useful way to beat office-based stress and boost your happiness levels at the same time.

Not all workplaces allow remote working, but you are allowed to enquire and put the idea forward to your manager. They also have to consider the request and give you a reason if they choose to reject it. So, if you’re really set on doing your job from a beach, sipping a nice cold drink at the same time, come up with a very good reason why this is going to work for you and your employer. The more in-depth and convincing your case, the more chance you have of getting a yes!