I recently returned to work in a traditional capacity 3 days a week and have been remotely working the other 2 days a week.
Over the past 3 months, I have benefited significantly in a number of ways as a result of being able to work remotely, which I'll delve into below.
Image Source: Pexels
Extra Sleep
For someone that really needs their 7-8 hours of sleep each night to most efficiently function during the day, I am so grateful for this opportunity to work remotely because I save a significant amount of time in the morning not having to get ready for work in the traditional sense.
Before I go into work each morning, I take care of personal care tasks, including brushing my teeth, showering, and combing my hair.
While I still brush my teeth two to three times a day, I am able to defer showering and combing my hair into the evening when I have more time, and don't have to rush as much with getting ready in the morning when I am working remotely.
As I'm sure most of us can attest, it can become tiring to also commute to traditional work, which leads me into my next point.
Extra Time And Improved Health
While I'm lucky in the sense that my 24 minute round trip commute to work is far less than the national average 26 minute one-way commute time, a 24 minute round trip commute 5 days a week is still 2 hours a week or about 1.3% of the total hours in a week (and much more of my waking hours when factoring in sleep).
Over the past 3 months (factoring in the 9 days that I have went to work over the past 3 months), I have saved about 1,320 minutes or nearly an entire day that I would have otherwise spent commuting.
This is time that I have spent engaging in more fulfilling activities, such as writing blog posts, exercising, spending time with family, and researching investment opportunities.
The other major benefit from a health standpoint, is that I don't have to deal with overly cautious drivers in front of me going 10 mph under the speed limit in ideal driving conditions while I'm on my way to work or maniacs behind me wanting to go 10 mph or more over the speed limit while I'm on my way home from work.
In support of this observation, a study of 33,000 UK drivers found a link between commute times and mental health. The longer and more frequent commutes that workers make to arrive at their jobs results in an increased risk of depression and work-related stress.
Extra Money
And aside from the extra sleep, time, and improved health, I have also saved about $66 over the past 3 months in fuel expenses (825 miles/25 mpg, assuming $2/gallon gas).
While that isn't necessarily a lot, my typical monthly fuel expenses are about $30/month at $2/gallon gasoline, so my fuel expenses have been cut by roughly 70% over the past 3 months.
Concluding Thoughts:
It has been a blessing to have the privilege of working from home more often than not over the past 3 months. The benefits of extra sleep, improved health, and extra money leave me hoping that I am able to at least work remotely 1 day a week indefinitely.
Discussion:
Have you had the privilege of working remotely over the past 3 months?
If so, have you observed the benefits that I discussed above or any other benefits? If not, would you prefer to work remotely?
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