8 Odd Work-From-Home Habits That Make Perfect Sense To Remote Workers
jordisalas.net | Shutterstock The pandemic completely changed how millions of people work.
Working from home is now a regular part of life for millions of U.S. workers, and spending the workday outside a traditional office comes with its own set of weird habits. Some of these odd work-from-home behaviors make perfect sense to remote workers, but might sound lazy or unprofessional to anyone used to going into the office. Even as more companies require employees to return to the office, many people still prefer remote and hybrid work options, probably because for many of us still working from home, these bizarre habits are hard to give up.
Here are 8 odd work-from-home habits that make perfect sense to remote workers:
1. Wearing questionable pants (or none at all)
It’s so easy to forget about business-casual clothing when working from home. The beauty of Zoom meetings is that you can have a completely professional setup from the waist up while wearing pajama pants and slippers, and nobody will know! But if you were to walk into the office in this attire, even on casual Friday, you'd probably get some confused looks from your coworkers and a conversation with your boss.
2. Watching TV while working
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Some people have the luxury of doing their work while watching TV. I, on the other hand, cannot focus for the life of me if the TV is on. However, I know so many people who listen to podcasts or watch TV while working.
If somebody in the office were caught watching TV while working, that probably wouldn't go over well with your boss. In the remote world, however, it's perfectly normal.
3. Not leaving the house until 5 p.m. (or for days on end)
While working from home has many benefits, it can be hard to create a healthy routine. For example, it’s easy to snooze your alarm until you absolutely have to log in to work. Then, you can work in your pajamas all day. And before you know it, it's 5 p.m., and you realize you haven't left the house.
Some people are totally fine with this, yet for others, it drives them crazy. Since 2020, people have been experimenting with ways to improve remote work. Writer Mary Isner says it’s important to set firm start and end times, as these can become blurry when working remotely. This allows time for yourself.
4. Going all day without talking to another person
This is another one that can drive people crazy. If you live alone and don’t have any scheduled calls, you may find that you go the whole day without speaking out loud. It’s very common to experience loneliness while working from home. Users on Reddit recommend intentionally scheduling breaks to step away from your screen, intentionally scheduling calls with your coworkers, and building deliberate connections with them. This is so much easier said than done while working from home.
5. Eating lunch during a work call
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I remember once I scheduled a meeting with a professor, and it was the only time I had during the day to eat. I felt so bad, but when I joined the call, she was eating, too. She told me that everybody does that nowadays. Eating during an in-person meeting is considered unprofessional, but when working from home, sometimes it’s necessary. Or you’re so bored that you have to snack.
6. Talking to your pet like they're your coworker
While working remotely, your pets become your best friends (especially when living alone). According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), having pets could improve your physical and mental health by lowering stress, encouraging daily exercise, and lessening feelings of loneliness. People who work from home find themselves talking to their pets more than they talk to their actual coworkers.
7. Becoming friends with coworkers you've never met
It sounds so strange, but people who work from home become friends with people they’ve never met before. Although this seems normal to remote workers, people who go to the office every day might think it’s weird to be friends with somebody you’ve never met before. However, that’s just the way it is remotely.
According to psychologist Wendy L. Patrick, workplace friendships are associated with “heightened creativity, innovation, and cohesiveness.” The benefits of workplace friendships are super high, so however you choose to make them, I say go for it.
8. Getting your workout in during a meeting
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Part of the lack of routine in a remote job is not finding time to exercise. It forces people to get creative with it. If you’re in a meeting with your camera off and you need to get your steps in, why not take the meeting while walking? This is unheard of for an office job, but it is the norm for remote workers. Exercise is necessary not just for physical, but also for mental health. So, any way to get it is good enough!
Sophie Bagheri is a writer with a bachelor’s degree in English and theatre who covers lifestyle topics.
