I know there are a fair number of remote employees who find a lack of social interaction extremely challenging. This is especially true of those who used to be surrounded by colleagues, who enjoyed chipping in on the conversations around them and interacting meaningfully.
In this short post, I will share my seven go-to tips to counter the lack of social interaction while working from home.
1. Healthy social life outside work
Maintain a healthy social life outside work, so that your friendships, hobbies and community connections carry the social weight your job no longer does.
2. Call your closest friends
Find a close friend or two and ring them every now and then, because hearing a familiar voice does something a text message never quite manages.
3. Change your working pattern
For example, go to a cafe and work there for a morning (just be mindful of the Wi-Fi. If you’re using public Wi-Fi, check your company policy).
4. Change your home-office room occasionally
If you can’t find a decent public space, try moving to another room occasionally, because shifting where you work can break the monotony and give the day a little more shape.
5. Ring a colleague
Ring a colleague and talk about something completely unrelated to work, like hobbies, giving you both a proper break and a reminder that there’s a person behind the job title.
6. Join a sports club or gym to socialise
Join a sports club or gym to socialise with people while you exercise, ticking off your movement for the day and your need for company in one go.
7. Go for a walk and greet people
Take a walk outside and greet the people you pass with a smile, combining a bit of fresh air and movement with the gentle lift that comes from acknowledging someone.
In a Nutshell
The lack of social interaction while working from home is real, but it is also fixable with small, deliberate habits rather than a complete change to how you work. Pick a couple of these seven hacks to start with, build them into your week, and the quiet of remote work soon feels far less isolating.
How do you cope with the social side of working from home? Comment below 👇
