Working from home is more accessible than ever, as more jobs just require you to have a laptop or computer and Internet connection. You can answer emails, complete spreadsheets, and communicate with others through video conferencing and phone calls. Some people prefer to work in offices so they can better separate home life from work life and interact with others. While there are advantages to working in an office, many other people find extraordinary advantages to working remotely from home.
1. Greater flexibility
Working from home typically allows for more flexibility. While some remote jobs still require adherence to specific work hours, other jobs allow you to choose your own hours. If you prefer to sleep in, exercise, or go to appointments in the morning hours, you can start and end work later in the day. If you are someone who is more productive in the early morning hours, you can start working at sunrise.
You may also have the opportunity to work for an hour or two, then leave to bring your children to school. and return home to continue working. You can easily take time to complete personal tasks, like looking up the best cruise deals for upcoming vacations or throwing a load of laundry into the washing machine, as long as you still get your work tasks done.
There is also flexibility in the location of your jobs. You can live where you want, or travel and spend time away from your home while still working. If you have family or friends who live across the country, you can spend weeks visiting them and continue working. If you move due to a spouse’s job change, you do not necessarily need to get a new job as well, which may be beneficial for your family.
2. Improved health
Working outside of your home may not feel as feasible if you have different health concerns. For example, if you are temporarily or permanently immunocompromised, working in an office around others can lead you to be more prone to catching a cold or bug that can severely affect you. If you have physical ailments that do not allow you to sit up in an office chair comfortably all day long, you can sit or lay in a better position for you while you are at home. If your energy varies day to day, you can sleep in as long as needed, or take a nap in the middle of the day, when working from home. This can allow you to work when you are feeling energized, which can increase productivity.
3. Increased savings
You may actually save more money if you work from home. Without commuting into an office, your transportation costs will be reduced, whether it be from gas, tolls, parking or subway tickets. You may also frequent restaurants or coffee shops less, as you can easily access your refrigerator and pantry at home. Because you can choose where you live, you can opt to live in an area that is less expensive, as you do not need to consider your office’s location and commute time into where you live. If you prefer to live in a different area of a city, or a more suburban or rural area, you can reduce your rent or mortgage. You may be able to even live in a bigger space so you can have a dedicated home office.
Depending on what you do, you may not need to spend as much money on professional clothes either. If you previously spent hundreds or thousands of dollars every year on tailored suits, nice shoes, and more, you may be able to get by with fewer professional clothing items, as no one you work with will likely see the shoes you are wearing.
Overall, working from home has enormous advantages. Being able to more flexibly manage your schedule, live where you want, prioritize your health and save money can allow you to feel a greater work-life balance and reduced work burnout.