Many of us have been experiencing some sort of self-isolation after working in a remote office for more than 100 days. It has not been easy. One factor to consider is how working from home can often lead to loneliness in a way that working in an office does not. 

“This loneliness is more than just a personal problem; it’s a productivity problem because it makes everyone feel less engaged and less connected to the team and its goals,” Geoffrey James explains in Inc.com. “It can also lead to depression, which is massively demotivating.” 

James offers five ways to fight the type of loneliness that comes from working from home. 

Share your emotions appropriately 

As in a physical workplace, you don’t want to express yourself in an unprofessional way, but that doesn’t mean you have to keep all your feelings to yourself. 

“Expressing your feelings about the current situation helps build connections, especially if everyone on the team is going through the same experience,” James says. 

Focus on helping others 

James says that only focusing on your to-do list makes your life just one, big to-do list. If you think about how those tasks on the to-do list help others, it can lead to having a more positive attitude. 

Provide extra support and advice 

“Rather than simply focusing on your own tasks at hand, offer to help others at their job or provide advice if you sense they’re having problems,” James recommends.  

This is the type of thing that may have come naturally when you were physically around your co-workers, so be more intentional about it while working from home. 

Say thank you more often 

James explains that feeling and expressing gratitude can strengthen the bonds between co-workers. 

Reminisce about the good old days 

“Remembering [good] times when you’re lonely can make you feel less lonely,” James says. 

In your intra-office chat system or in a video meeting, bring up inside jokes or fun memories from the break room. Besides making you feel good, it can re-establish those meaningful relationships you cherish with co-workers.