Londoners worry about work during their free time more than the rest of the UK

Londoners spend almost 6 hours a week worrying about their job outside of working hours – which is 20% more than the average Brit, new data has discovered.

Survey data of 2,000 participants has been released by the home-working retailer, EZ Shopper, to uncover how WFH and the pandemic have blurred the line between personal and professional life.

The data concluded that the average Londoner will spend 5.9 hours per week feeling anxious about work in their free time. That’s over 12 days a year, or a year and a half in a lifetime!

An average British worker will worry for 4.8 hours a week, meaning that Londoners spend 20% more time worrying out of work, despite having much longer working hours and less free time.

Incidentally, 1 in 10 Londoners worry for around 10 hours per week during their free time when they should be switching off and enjoying their downtime.

Men worry about work significantly more than women according to the national data, and 35-44-year-olds were the age range that appears to struggle the most with switching off after a busy day.

A quarter of Londoners also confessed that they worry “much more” now than before the pandemic, indicating that an increase in home working could be a primary cause.

Commenting on the findings, EZ Shopper’s Founder, Will Driscoll, said:

“Since the start of the pandemic, working life as we know it has considerably changed. The majority of office workers now find themselves with the option to work from home, which can have countless benefits on workers’ mental and physical health.”

“However, working from home is not without its drawbacks. It’s no surprise to see that Brits worry about work more than before the pandemic, with the lines between home life and work life blurring without the physical separation between an employee and their workplace.

“It’s important to make small changes to your home working environment to increase separation from your work as much as possible, ensuring that there are as few reminders of work in your home outside of working hours.”

To help reduce work anxiety where possible, Will has released six tips to reduce stress via your home workstation. Will commented:

“Working from home is here to stay. Most office-based companies were forced to adapt home working during the pandemic, and having seen the successful implementation, many are now offering a hybrid model to their staff -but what effect does this have on their workers?

Working from home has many benefits; more time spent with loved ones, flexibility, home comforts and so on. However, working and living at home simultaneously is leaving many Brits unable to switch off and distinguish between their work and living spaces.

Here are five tips on how you can reduce stress through your WFH environment.

1. Create a schedule and stick to it

“Without the discipline of arriving to work on time, it can be easy to slip into an overly-flexible mindset. When working from home, ensure that you make a clear division between work and personal time to maintain a routine each day.”

“Wake up, eat breakfast and get out of your pyjamas and use the time you would have spent commuting to do something you enjoy such as exercising or reading. Most importantly, when the workday ends – stop working. Shut down your laptop and s focus on your personal time so that you feel recharged for the next working day. ”

2. Find a dedicated workspace

” Establishing a dedicated workspace can help to maintain that all-important work/home life balance. A quiet, comfortable workspace away from all distractions, whilst containing everything you need to work is perfect. Though it may be tempting to work from your bed or on your sofa, emulating an office desk will improve your productivity (and help you to avoid snoozing in the middle of the day!). Additionally, following the NHS guidelines on how best to sit at a desk can improve your overall health and productivity, reducing any health risks borne from poor posture.”

3. Create a safe space on your desk

“Your desk is where you spend the majority of your working day, therefore it’s worth investing in a quality desk that is suitable for all your working needs. To make your desk an inviting place to be, position your desk where there is natural light as this will lift your mood. In addition to this, try adding greenery to your space or use scented candles to aid relaxation. If you feel comfortable in the space where you work, it is inevitable that the work you produce will be of higher quality.”

4. Make time for breaks

“During the workday, it is important that you aren’t fixated on your screen for the entire duration of your hours – taking breaks is incredibly important to help reduce stress and tension.”

“Dedicating time for a regular lunch break where you can get away from your screen will improve your overall focus when you return to your workspace. Spending time outdoors is particularly beneficial as not only will it break up your day but, it will allow you to get some exercise and enjoy the fresh air. If you don’t fancy venturing outside, simple things such as a cup of tea or having a stretch will really help you to finish the working day feeling more refreshed.”

5. Keep in touch

“Working from home can increase your productivity, with no outside influences getting in the way of your focus. However, it can easily lead to workers feeling isolated. Ensure that you prioritise staying in touch with your colleagues so that you all feel a sense of belonging and ultimately work better together. Instead of solely emailing and messaging, try video chats and calls where you can. Your other WFH colleagues will likely feel the same way and will appreciate the contact.”

6. Be kind to yourself

“When you begin to experience stress it can be really easy to blame yourself. Make sure you

allow yourself time to pause so that you can change your mindset accordingly. Remember that it’s also important to look after your physical health so that your mind and body can work in better harmony. For instance, prioritising staying hydrated and eating a healthy lunch so that you can keep alert and creative throughout the day.”