Here is an interesting study that compares changes in isolation and mental health between people who are able to work remotely and those who cannot. The results indicate that despite many people having a preference for remote work, it's not good for our mental health.
The study found that relative to those in "nonremotable" jobs, post-pandemic remote workers spent about one additional hour per weekday alone, increased the number of days spent entirely alone, and decreased the amount of after-work socializing. This was particularly acute for people living alone.
At the same time, psychological distress was shown to increase — as well as the frequency of depression, mental health care utilization, and antidepressant prescriptions. Importantly, people who were recently, but not currently, employed in a "remotable" job did not show the same mental health deterioration, suggesting that it is very much tied to working arrangements in that moment.
The obvious lesson is that more time in person is almost certainly good for our well-being. But it's also a reminder that one of the reasons why cities exist and are so sticky is that humans generally want to be around other humans. Of course, not all cities are created equal. The most successful ones strengthen connections rather than isolation.
Cover photo by Thought Catalog on Unsplash