Love working from home? It could cost you your mental health

A new study published in Science reveals a hidden cost of remote work: remote workers, especially those living alone, experience deep loneliness and spend 25% of days without meaningful human contact. Experts recommend a 'third space' – cafes or co-working spaces – as a flexible alternative between home and office.

A new study published in the journal Science reveals a dark side of working from home: remote workers, especially those living alone, report high levels of mental distress and isolation. The study found that these workers spend 25% of days without any meaningful human contact – twice as much as those working in a front-facing environment. However, experts warn that a forced return to the office is not the solution. Dr. Constance Noonan Hadley, an organizational psychologist, explains that being present in the office does not guarantee a nourishing social environment. The recommended solution is a 'third space' – cafes or co-working spaces – which allows remote work while maintaining human contact.