Tip #3: Make plans after work

While there are many small things you can do to reduce feelings of isolation, the best solution is to socialize.

This doesn't have to be with colleagues (although that’s great), but having a plan to leave the house after work will give you something to look forward to and help ease the feelings of isolation throughout the day.

When there is no rush-hour traffic to beat or train to catch, sometimes it can be difficult to call it a day; making plans after work will encourage you to stop working at an appropriate time.

Tip #4: Reserve a few minutes of each meeting for socializing

Conversations about things other than business break up the work day; they’re stimulating in ways that work can’t be. Having those conversations at the beginning of online meetings will do a lot to combat feelings of isolation. And your meeting doesn’t have to suffer—all it takes is five minutes.

It will allow colleagues to form bonds that extend beyond office hours, find shared interests, and ultimately feel more connected.

Tip #5: Have company-wide online catch-ups

Having all company meetings promotes inclusion and transparency, and fosters community. A feeling of closeness is difficult to replicate when people are in different places (or even different time zones), but a large Zoom call where people feel seen and heard together can go a long way.

Tip #6: Turn your camera on during meetings

Turning your camera on for meetings can gently remind people working from home that there’s a human at the other end of the connection. Implementing a ‘cameras on’ policy during Zoom calls (where appropriate) will bring your virtual meetings one step closer to reality.

It’s important that whoever is implementing the policy is aware of Zoom fatigue, though, and allows for periods of audio-only engagement or other mitigating measures.

Tip #7: Try to work outside of your house for one day a week

Co-working spaces are a great way for hybrid businesses to preserve an office culture. But the reality is that you might live somewhere that makes getting into a co-working space unrealistic. In that case, working from libraries or cafés can promote productivity, while also providing a social and lively setting.

Plus, having a physical separation between the place where you work and where you relax can help you keep those important boundaries when it is time to stop working. This is especially pertinent to those whose home office setups are in shared rooms, bedrooms, or dining rooms.

Feeling connected is the key

Humans have an innate desire to feel connected. Isolation is a natural feeling when you’re working remotely, but through technology and small, conscious efforts to socialize, the negative impacts can be reduced, so you can focus on the benefits.