Are you looking after yourself when you work from home?

 

With the post-COVID norm of a hybrid working environment. Many employees struggle with these changes, as shown by Liberty’s claims and productivity metrics. Below are some ways to maintain a healthy work-from-home lifestyle and what to look out for.

Liberty’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Dominique Stott, says taking charge of your mental and physical health by undergoing regular health screenings, seeking counsel from qualified therapists on mental issues, and spending time outdoors and being with loved ones not to isolate oneself. Mental health challenges and Coronary heart disease are the two most significant claims increases.

Mental Health Challenges

Liberty’s 2022 claims for loss of income due to mental disorders continued to rise compared to previous years, with men predominantly connected to suicide-related death claims. Women, on the other hand, are more likely to claim for depression and anxiety-related conditions.

Men make up 65% of suicide-related death claims, emphasising the prevalence of mental disorders among the male population. By contrast, women are 5 times more likely than men to claim under-living benefits for depression and anxiety-related conditions.

“We encourage people to seek help by approaching medical professionals who can offer a broad range of treatments to help them regain a positive state of mind where they can cope again. It may be costly on the pocket, but a few sessions might help improve one’s mental well-being with the right planning and budgeting. This is for both men and women,” Dr Stott says.

Speak to your co-workers about daily obstacles to avoid slumping into mental health challenges. Make personal connections with these individuals, which will increase synergy. Extend your circle to neighbours and friends and ensure you communicate your feelings to them. Another strategy is to practice mindful thinking, which helps with stress management. The main objective is to focus on what is happening in the present. Remove all other thoughts and complete the task at hand, and once completed, you move on to the next task.

Coronary Heart Disease

According to the Liberty 2022 Claims report, 22.4% of claims were due to diagnoses for this condition, which is regarded as a lifestyle disease. “Reduced physical activity due to lockdowns, combined with an alarming economic climate, contributed to issues such as unhealthy diets, obesity, smoking, and high blood pressure,” she says.

“We must find ways to exercise regularly and be mindful of our eating habits. Avoid casual eating and adopt a structured mealtime plan like in the office environment. For those in a hybrid working environment, take advantage of the staircases in the office, on the days you go into the office.”

To avoid this, you should prep your meals the night before as you would if you were to go into the office. Keep a bottle of water next to you that you sip on during the day, and lastly, ensure that your home office space is set up for optimal posture and comfort.

The tips above should help you curb the main challenges most hybrid workers face. A key factor is to speak to a financial advisor to ensure the proper structure is put in place so that you are financially covered if anything were to happen. Building a well-advised personal and family insurance portfolio is essential because it can help deal with these conditions’ long-term effects.

“Ensuring appropriate insurance coverage is in place becomes vital, especially for individuals in stressful occupations. Being prepared and protected ensures the well-being and security of one’s family in the long run,” concludes Dr Stott.

Disclaimer:

This article does not constitute tax, legal, financial, regulatory, accounting, technical or other advice. The material has been created for information only and contains no personal recommendations. While every care has been taken in preparing this material, no member of Liberty gives any representation, warranty or undertaking and accepts no responsibility or liability regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information presented. Please consult your financial adviser should you require advice of a financial nature and/or intermediary services.

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