In the realm of remote work, where Zoom calls replace water-cooler conversations, and the once-familiar buzz of office life is replaced by the hum of the kitchen refrigerator, a new epidemic appears to be brewing: loneliness.
Although loneliness is perhaps as old as time itself, the rise in working from home has brought it into sharper focus, experts say.
With fewer random encounters and less chats by the communal kettle, post-pandemic employment has,. it seems, become a more isolated place. Digital tools designed to connect us – Zoom, Teams, Messenger – have, in fact, left many of us feeling more disconnected than ever.
Now, in Lincoln a new group is trying to combat this rising scourge of loneliness.
The Walk & Brekkie Club – founded by Arianne Caprice – is a heart-warming initiative to bring young women together on a Sunday morning for a walk around the city followed by breakfast.
Which is why, one Sunday in January, I laced up my shoes and joined the lovely group for a potter and a pancake breakfast.
From young professionals looking for an escape from the digital treadmill to locals looking to do some exercise and meet new friends, each step was accompanied by conversation, laughter and enjoyable interactions.
Arianne said: “Working from home Monday to Friday, caused my motivation to slump and I fell out of love with getting outside and exercising. This club was the solution.”
“I’ve had my fair share of loneliness. Life can be hard, and it can be even worse when you don’t have people to see”
According to the most recent ONS data, 44% of the UK workforce was working remotely in 2023. Recent studies, meanwhile, show that companies embracing such a hybrid working model are bringing in greater revenue than entirely office-based organisations, suggesting this new form of work is here to stay.
However, the shift has an alarming element: a sizable 67% of workers admit to feeling “less connected to their co-workers when working from home”.
More startlingly, perhaps, is that one in every five workers suffer from loneliness in the seclusion of their home offices.
Arianne said: “I’ve had my fair share of loneliness. Life can be hard, and it can be even worse when you don’t have people to see or someone to talk to. This is partly why I wanted to set up this club, because having company, friends and someone to talk to is just as important as leading a healthy lifestyle and exercising.”
Since Arianne started a Facebook page in September, it has gained more than 200 members, and the walks have drawn a dozen or so attendees every Sunday. Aside from these events, Arianne has also set up activities such as pottery, painting and puppy yoga for people to attend.
One member, who also works remotely, said: “I can hand on heart say that since heading out for these walks each week, my mental health has massively improved, and I’ve loved meeting everyone who’s joined so far.”
Jan Randall, counsellor and psychologist at the University of Hull, says it is little wonder the club has had such a positive response.
She has noticed an increase of people feeling lonely in the years since Covid-19.
He said: “The feeling of isolation, loneliness, and sometimes social anxiety can be overwhelming and the absence of casual office interactions, the kitchen chit-chat that creates connection and idea generation, leaves a void that remote communication struggles to fill.”
For example, in virtual meetings, individuals often multitask without the awareness of their colleagues – something that can damage relationship building according to Randall because creating high-quality relationships requires “communicating presence, paying attention, and expressing real interest”.
She added, “Work used to be a place to make friends, form connections, and even find a romantic partner. Now, the lack of these rites of passage can impact their developmental journey.”
In addition, current figures highlight something else intriguing.
A survey conducted by Forbes has found that over 60% of adults have had a workplace romance. This statistic emphasises the unique social dynamics that workplaces foster and how the shift to remote employment could take a hit on these interpersonal connections.
Low mood, lack of ambition, and overall sluggishness have also been associated with home working, adding to potential issues.
Randall said: “The blurred lines between work and personal space can contribute to a loss of identity. There’s a risk of neglecting self-care, with individuals finding it easier to let go of routines like getting ready for the day.”
“The young people, especially those just starting their careers, are hit hard and activities that involve people outside of the workplace will really make a difference to their developmental growth, walking is an excellent way to exercise, get some fresh air, connect with nature, and combat loneliness.”
While remote employment has the advantage of removing commutes and may enhance the quality of life, these positives should perhaps not be allowed to disguise the negatives – especially since loneliness has been directly linked to an increased risk of various health conditions including heart disease, dementia, and diabetes.
The Walk & Brekkie Club, then, stands out as an place of true human connection: in the middle of the transforming landscape of work, this unique initiative offers a simple solution.
Fact File
- Up to 80% of UK workers feel that working from home has negatively affected their mental health
- 81% of under-35s feared loneliness from long-term home working
- Studies have shownheightened levels of stress and anxiety among younger workers since the shift to remote work.
- Women were more likely than men to feel isolated
- Over one in four are working from home from either a sofa or a bedroom
- Women are more likely to develop musculoskeletal problems if working from home
