Paradoxically, we experience more stress in the safe space of our home than in the space where we work, be it an office, a store, or a government agency.
Psychologists at the University of Pennsylvania (USA) measured the level of the stress hormone (cortisol) in men and women when they were at home and at work. It turned out that it reached its maximum values in a “safe” home environment *. According to psychologist Sarah Damaske, this is due to the fact that thanks to the work environment, we feel the clarity, orderliness and even meaningfulness of life. We feel satisfaction from the fact that our everyday life is filled with action. However, for those who work from home, there is a way out. It is necessary to clearly distinguish between zones associated with different modes of life, advises Damascus. For example, allocate yourself an «island» of the workspace and use it only in this capacity.
* Social Science and Medicine, 2014, published online at sciencedirect.com