Remote work is growing in popularity as more people realize the benefits of ditching the commute and working from the comfort of their homes.
It’s no secret that remote work is on the rise. The number of people working remotely in the workforce tripled between 2019 and 2021.
This translates to an increase from 5.7% of the total workforce (around 9 million people) working remotely to about 18% (27.6 million people). And that number is only expected to grow in the years to come.
These Are the Best 7 Benefits of Remote Work You Must Know
There are plenty of reasons why employees are making the switch to remote work. From increased productivity and decreased stress levels to improved work/life balance and increased flexibility, many benefits come with ditching the traditional 9-5 grind in favor of working from home.
If you’re on the fence about whether or not to switch to remote work, here are some of the top benefits that might sway you.
1. Zero Commute
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One of the most significant benefits of remote work is the lack of long, stressful commutes.
The U.S. average commuting to and back from work is 1 hour. That would be around 250 hours of commuting every year.
To know the depth of remote work opportunities, imagine saving those hours!
Not only does working remotely save you time, but it can also save you money. With no need for gas or public transportation, you can kiss those commuting costs goodbye.
2. Flexible Hours
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Another colossal benefit of remote work is flexibility.
When you’re not tied to a traditional 9-5 schedule, you have more freedom and flexibility to structure your day in a way that works best for you—whether that means taking a mid-day break to run errands or starting your day a bit later so you can avoid rush hour traffic and noise around you.
Freedom to Work When You Want
Not only does remote work give you the freedom to structure your day however you choose, but it also gives you the freedom to work when you want.
As long as the work is async and goal-oriented, you don’t have to worry about being late or having to leave early if something comes up. If an emergency requires your attention, you can care for it without fret.
Flexibility To Take Breaks When You Need
When you’re working remotely, staying glued to your computer can be tempting.
But having the flexibility to take breaks when you need them, even if that means stepping away from your work for a few minutes to clear your head or grab a snack, is incredibly important for maintaining focus and productivity throughout the day.
3. Productive Workspace
Photo by In an office setting, there are plenty of potential distractions, from co-workers dropping by your desk to impromptu meetings being called with little notice.
When you work remotely, however, you have complete control over your environment, which means you can eliminate distractions and create a workspace conducive to productivity.
This may be working from a coffee shop with good vibes or setting up shop in a quiet corner of your home.
You get to decide what works best for you and your workflow.
The Advantages of a Productive Workspace
You can work more effectively and efficiently when you create a productive workspace.
You’ll have fewer distractions to pull your focus away from the task at hand, so you can get into a deep concentration ideal for tackling complex tasks.
Especially if you’re someone who tends to procrastinate or get easily distracted, having a designated workspace can help you stay on track and maximize your productivity.
Creating a Productive Workspace
Creating an effective workspace doesn’t have to be complicated.
Start by picking a spot away from distractions like the T.V., family members, or other comfort zones like your couch or bed. Just try to keep your work area separate from where you typically relax and unwind.
Make sure there is plenty of natural light, add some greenery, and personalize your space with small touches like photos, artwork, or objects that inspire and motivate you.
Also, please don’t forget to invest in a good chair and other home office setup. It may be tempting to work from the couch or bed, but having an ergonomic seat will help reduce back pain and keep you comfortable during long days of remote work.
4. Better Work/Life Balance
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Remote work gives you more control over how you spend your non-work hours.
When your office is located within steps of your bedroom, it’s easy to find yourself working late into the night or pulling all-nighters to meet deadlines.
This convenience also means you can create better boundaries between your work and personal life, leading to improved focus, increased productivity when you’re on the clock, and enhanced mental and physical health overall.
Although the core benefit of remote work is flexibility, many digital workers fail to separate their personal life and career.
While better work/life balance is a benefit of remote work, establishing boundaries is also essential so that your personal life doesn’t hinder your professional hours.
Establishing Boundaries
Establishing boundaries between your professional and personal life can be difficult when working remotely, especially if you don’t have set hours or a dedicated workspace.
To prevent burnout, it’s essential to establish realistic expectations for yourself, such as setting specific working hours and taking regular breaks throughout the day.
You should keep a separate workspace and avoid mixing your personal life with your professional duties.
This will help you stay productive and focused while also creating more time to spend on things outside of work that can boost your overall well-being, such as exercising, socializing, or pursuing hobbies.
Improved Productivity
When you work remotely, staying focused and avoiding distractions is easier.
With no co-workers dropping by your desk or impromptu meetings being called with little notice, you can immerse yourself in the task and get more done in less time.
Plus, since you’re not commuting to the office, you can use that extra time to tackle projects and check items off your to-do list. Or even better, spend that time with yourself or your family.
Better Mental and Physical Health
Without having to deal with a stressful commute or contend with office politics, you can save time and energy that you can use for self-care activities or even just relaxing after a long day of work.
In addition to this, since you’re away from the hustle and bustle of the office, you’re also able to maintain better mental health by reducing stress and anxiety.
The improved work/life balance that comes with remote work also means that you have more time to exercise, eat healthier, and get enough sleep each night—all of which can lead to improved mental and physical health.
5. Access to Jobs Around the World
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When you work remotely, there’s no limit to where you can live and work.
And with companies increasingly open to hiring remote employees, there’s also no limit to the types of positions available to those who want to telecommute.
That means candidates from any country can get the highest-paying jobs from companies in the U.K., US, Germany, Switzerland, etc.
This ultimately translates to $100k+ salaries for full-time roles.
So if continuing your education or advancing your career is important, know that working remotely gives you endless opportunities to do just that—regardless of where you live and work.
Hiring Remote Employees Becoming More Common
The number of companies that are open to hiring remote employees is increasing every day.
And with more and more businesses recognizing the benefits of having a remote workforce, there’s no longer a need to limit yourself by only searching for jobs in certain cities or countries.
That means you can focus on finding a role that works best for you and offers you the best chance of succeeding in your career.
6. Work From Literally Anywhere
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One of the best things about working from anywhere is the freedom it gives you. You’re not tied down to one location and can travel wherever you want.
If you’re traveling and need to hop on a work call, you can do so from your hotel room without skipping a beat.
This means you can take that dream vacation you’ve been planning for years or move to a city you’ve always wanted to explore while continuing to work and collect a paycheck.
For many people, this is a fantastic experience. They’ve seen many places while still being productive and earning much more than a living.
7. Everyone Has Equal Opportunity, Regardless of Where They Live
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One of the biggest benefits of working remotely is equal opportunities and fairness.
People in developing countries can enjoy lower living costs compared to expensive cities in Europe or U.S.
This is a winning situation for remote workers in expensive countries as well since they’ll be earning the highest possible salary.
Such equality and fairness take us further down the line to Salary Arbitrage.
What Is Salary Arbitrage?
Salary arbitrage is a valuable hack for working remotely. By living in a country where the cost of living is cheap and working for a company in a country where salaries are much higher, digital workers can enjoy a significantly higher salary.
With companies increasingly open to hiring remote employees, there are endless opportunities to find a remote job that pays well no matter where you choose to live and work.
In contrast, the upside of salary arbitrage is two-fold:
- People in high-cost countries can move to lower-cost countries while keeping the same pay. This means more earnings and savings, and less expensive for them.
- People in low-cost countries can stay in the same place but still enjoy higher international wages.
Conclusion
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many companies to reevaluate their policies and allow employees to work remotely.
While some people are resistant to the idea of not going into an office, working remotely has several benefits.
From zero commute to flexible hours, productive workspace, and better work/life balance, remote work is the wave of the future.
With remote work, you can also access jobs worldwide and work from literally anywhere. This is especially beneficial for people who need more flexibility in their schedules.
Everyone has an equal opportunity to apply for jobs regardless of where they live.
If you’ve been considering switching to remote work, hopefully, this article has helped show some of the advantages you can expect.
With more and more companies offering remote positions, now is a great time to take advantage of the opportunities available!
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