This blog was written by Sheila Johnson you can find more of her writing at wellsheila.net!

If you’ve ever thought about leaving the cubicles behind, you should know that working at home does more than simply keep you out of the office gossip. There are some significant benefits to carving out a corner of your living space for a home office. And if you struggle with depression or anxiety, the flexibility of working at home, and especially working for yourself, may be exactly what the doctor ordered. Keep reading for the top benefits of a work-at-home lifestyle.

Less traffic equals less stress.

Working from home solves any and all commute issues. We all know sitting in traffic is almost no one’s idea of a good time. It’s stressful, slow, and boring. And when you’re stuck in a turtle’s-crawl commute, your mind can wander to all the things that you haven’t done at home or in the office. And then there’s the stress that goes along with being late. Late to the office, late to dinner, and late to social obligations. While this might seem like a little thing, the stress of extreme traffic jams has been found to increase risk of high blood pressure, heart attacks and disease related to the heart, and even type 2 diabetes.

Remote work lets you do what you love.

Even if you’re currently in a job that aligns with your interests, working from home without the constraints of an office can give you the freedom to be creative and do your best work. And thankfully, there are many options for remote work, including writing, web development, and even customer service. Thanks to the modern age, anyone with the internet has access to apps and convenient online job boards to connect with both permanent and part-time gigs.

Less concern over childcare.

A common source of stress and anxiety for working parents is childcare. And although it’s difficult to work from home with babies and toddlers, the disruption of a sick day is absolutely devastating to a professional schedule. Unfortunately, many parents simply send their children to school sick, which means that everyone in the building is exposed to whatever flu/cold/cough/stomach bug the child has. We’ve all been guilty of pressing our luck, but working at home means you no longer have to sweat the cost of emergency childcare or hope your child’s principal doesn’t call for an unexpected – and mandatory – pick up before lunch.

You can focus on your physical health, too.

Remember that commute we talked about? When you work at home, you can use that time to focus on your physical health. This is important, because your body is directly linked to your mind. Metabolic Meals notes that a lack of activity can also accelerate aging, cause depression, and incite brain fog. Just 30 minutes of exercise each day can reduce your risk of these. And if that’s not enough, stepping away from your desk for a mid-day walk may even up your productivity.

You will feel more autonomous.

Autonomy is something we all strive for. Unfortunately, in a traditional office environment, it is a rare treat to feel like you are truly in control. Working for yourself, and especially at home, will keep you from dealing with micromanagers that want things done their way and only their way. Although, in most cases, you’ll be expected to provide an anticipated outcome of whatever project you’re working on, you can get there your own way and in your own time.

If the coronavirus pandemic has taught us anything, it is that working at home is not just a luxury for six-figure managers. Instead, it is an achievable goal, and one that can benefit your physical and mental health. And remember, the gig economy allows you to take complete control over your financial future – and isn’t that what the American dream is all about?

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