Remote Work and Employee Wellbeing

Rest, Boredom and Creativity. I used to believe that rest is time away from work. My mother used to tell me to take a break and find balance, but I didn’t understand it up until recently, that we need to step away to come back rejuvenated. A well-rested brain is a creative brain. In our hyper-connected world, it's easy to overlook the importance of rest. Without rest, diminished inspiration, and unidimensional perspective stare me in the face. In his TED talk on the impact of creative sabbaticals, graphic designer Stefan Sagmeister talks about how obsession with art can begin to destroy the art itself. It can translate into stagnation or even burnout. Contrary to general perception, artists need to waste time to get work done. We need idleness and we need creative rest. If we think back about our childhood – boredom opened tiny windows of wonder. It made your mind travel to strange places and conjure stories. Boredom is curiosity’s predecessor and rest’s cousin. Our brain is on 24/7. Our brain cells are doing the constant work of communication. Neuroscientists say it’s critical for brain health to allow yourself to be bored from time to time. Filmmaker and actor Greta Gerwig says, “You need to reach a level of boredom to make anything. But I worry that we’ve lost that capacity, which I think maybe erodes creativity.” We also seem to have lost the ability to rest. Relaxing now means a numbing retreat to our phone screens. Sleep specialist Rubin Naiman has come up with an apt word for our exhaustion – ‘T’wired’ – too tired and too wired. Real rest, he says is intentionally cultivating a state of calm. It’s about stepping on the brakes and coming to a full stop. For me, rest goes beyond simply getting a good night's sleep (although that is undeniably crucial). It's about finding balance and incorporating intentional pauses into our daily lives. It could be taking a mindful walk, spending time with loved ones or engaging in a hobby that brings us joy. Two studies published in Scientific Reports recently conclude that birdsong lets us engage in ‘soft fascination’ which captures our attention but also allows us to replenish. Listening to birds is good for our mental well-being. By consciously carving out time for rest, we can replenish our artistic reservoirs. In the quiet interludes, we can listen to the whispers of our inner voices. It allows introspection, and this self-awareness is important for us to iterate and better ourselves in our work. Also, rest is not solely an individual pursuit—it should be championed within our workplaces and communities, for optimized productivity. Let’s strike that balance between focused effort and purposeful rest. Share your favorite ways to unwind and recharge. #RestAndCreativity #BalanceMatters #EmbracingWellBeing #ProductivityRevolution

Creators are facing a mental health crisis, and now there’s data to prove it. As a member of the Creator Advisory Board at Creators 4 Mental Health, I’ve been closely following their recent benchmark study on creator mental well-being. The findings paint a clear picture of an industry under pressure: ✨ 62% of creators experience burnout ✨ 69% face financial insecurity ✨ 58% say their self-worth declines when content underperforms This is a workforce that powers a 300 billion dollar economy yet operates without many of the protections or benefits of traditional employment. Many creators function as small businesses, often managing teams, deadlines, and income instability without the resources that support long-term sustainability. 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚 𝐟𝐞𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐝𝐨 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡: 1️⃣ 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐨𝐫 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 REACH. Having a trusted group of peers who understand the pressures of this work can make a huge difference. Surrounding yourself with others who share knowledge, experiences, and support helps reduce isolation and sustain creativity over time. 2️⃣ 𝐃𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐟𝐲 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐞. Depending solely on one platform or one income stream increases financial and emotional stress. Expanding to multiple forms of monetization (brand deals, products, subscriptions, events) creates flexibility and long-term security. 3️⃣ 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞. Constant connectivity is not the same as productivity. Schedule breaks, take days off social media, and give yourself permission to recharge. True creativity comes from rest, not exhaustion. 4️⃣ 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞. Remember why you started creating in the first place. Success metrics will always change, but your purpose is the anchor that keeps you grounded when algorithms and trends shift. That’s also why James Petrossi, Manasi Patil, and I wrote LEAVE THE FEED: to remind creators that stepping back isn’t failure. It’s how you build something sustainable.

I don’t get my best ideas in forced ideation meetings. I get them during my 45-minute disconnect sessions. Most people think innovation comes from working non-stop. But real breakthroughs don't come from grinding harder - they come when you step away from: - Work - Screens - Constant hustle Research from UC Berkeley shows a striking finding: taking regular breaks from technology boosts creativity by 60%. Bill Gates does this through an annual think week - where he lives in an off-grid cabin in the woods just to disconnect and think. But that’s not an option for you and me, so here are my easier alternatives that consistently lead to breakthrough ideas: 1. Tech-free nature walks ↳ Nature walks without my phone force me to notice things I'd usually miss. The fresh air clears mental clutter, and new environments spark unexpected connections. ↳ Moving outdoors boosts my energy, making me feel more refreshed and open to new ideas. 2. Doodling and mind mapping ↳ It allows me to visually explore ideas and connect dots I'd normally overlook. ↳ The freeform process helps me think without constraints while giving my brain a productive break. 3. Zero-pressure brainstorming ↳ I ask “What if?” questions when there’s no need to do so, and welcome every idea without any judgment. ↳ It leads to bold, unexpected solutions because no idea is off-limits. ↳ By exploring all possibilities, I find more innovative answers. Following this routine fuels the kind of creativity that sets you apart. This intentional disconnection creates space for breakthrough ideas that others miss while stuck in their daily grind. What's your favorite way to disconnect? Has it ever led to an unexpected breakthrough? #breaksessions #productivityhack #personalgrowth

Do not let your friends get to this point ↴ Rock bottom. In a profession like recruiting (external), many of us, including myself, have reached this point multiple times. The pressure is palatable, especially for high-pressure solo practitioners where our success determines if we feed our families. 👉 Let's break down the concerns ↴ 1. Burnout   → Unrealistic targets and the "always-on" nature of the job add to this stress and mental, physical, and emotional exhaustion. 2. Rejection Fatigue → The "No's" add up: Constantly dealing with candidates' & clients' rejections or disappointments can create feelings of inadequacy or failure. 3. Pressure for Performance → Intense Metrics-driven environments can result in overwhelming stress to meet KPIs. Economic factors, such as layoffs or hiring freezes, add further stress. 4. Emotional Toll of Candidate Support → Supporting them through brutal rejections or coaching them to improve can be draining. 5. Isolation in Remote Work → For some, the shift to remote recruitment has reduced in-office camaraderie, increased feelings of isolation & impacted mental well-being. 👉 What to look out for in our industry colleagues, friends and family↴ 1. Decreased Productivity Missed deadlines, lower placements, or poor performance relative to prior output. 2. Physical Symptoms → Fatigue, headaches, disrupted sleep, or drastic weight/appetite changes. 3. Changes in Attitude or Behavior → Irritability, reduced communication, or withdrawal from team interactions. 4. Reduced Job Satisfaction → Expressing dissatisfaction or lack of fulfillment in the role. (not standard sarcasm)🙄 5. Impaired Decision-Making → Difficulty managing priorities or making clear, strategic choices. 👉 Strategies to Address Mental Health in Recruitment ↴ 1. Normalize Mental Health Conversations → Provide a culture where discussing stress or seeking help is welcomed and not stigmatized. 2. Reasonable Targets and Metrics  → Ensure KPIs are ambitious but achievable to reduce unnecessary pressure. 3. Flexible Work Arrangements → Encourage work-life harmony through remote work flexibility or mental health days. 4. Mental Health Resources Offer access to counseling, therapy, or stress management programs. 5. Peer Support Networks → Build spaces where recruiters can share experiences & coping strategies. 6. Training Managers to Spot Signs → Equip leaders to recognize when team members need support & how to provide it effectively. Recruitment is a team sport & we must look out for each other as humans. Keep an eye on your friends who do this solo and check in on them. It's like a REAL check-in. Together, we can make a difference! 👉 And before you write some snarky comment about job seekers or other professions, YES, these tips can apply to all. But right now, I am focusing on my industry to spread the word and make a difference. Thank you!  

If you work from home, here are a few [and underrated] mental health tips: I’m speaking from experience of working remotely for the past 5 years, and I eventually moved closer to nature for this very reason. The biggest lesson? Leave your house. Regularly. You don’t need a fancy vacation or an elaborate plan. Just step outside: > Take a 10-minute walk > Visit nearby cafe > Visit a friend, or a relative Small breaks like this reset your mind. You’ll return clearer, more productive, and in a better headspace. But that’s just the start. Here are 3 more ways to protect your mental health while working remotely: 1️⃣ Set "fake commutes"
→ Bookend your day with a short walk or coffee ritual. It tricks your brain into "work mode" and "off mode." 2️⃣ Silence notifications after hours
→ Remote work blurs boundaries. Mute Slack/email post-work to avoid burnout. 3️⃣ Create a "third space"
→ Find one non-home spot (library, coworking space) to work from weekly. Humans aren’t meant to stare at the same walls 24/7. Your environment shapes your mind. Change yours—even in small ways. If you’re looking for remote jobs, get my Remote Job Started Kit here - https://lnkd.in/dea5Xk5p #Remotejobs #WFH #MentalHealth

Remote work is a gift - but let's be real: it can wreck your health if you're not intentional. Two years ago, my routine was embarrassing: Wake up → laptop in bed → work on couch → order delivery → back to laptop → sleep I gained weight, lost energy, and felt constantly "on" but never actually productive. Working from home quietly creates: → Almost no movement → Poor posture (hello, couch slump) → Way longer workdays → Isolation & zero casual interactions → Skipped meals or eating like a distracted raccoon → Feeling "always on" but never fully present But the good news? You can fix a lot of this with small, repeatable habits. Here's what's completely changed my remote work life: 1️⃣ Create daily rituals → Morning walk before opening Slack (game-changer) → Post-lunch stretch (even 5 minutes helps) → Walking 1:1s instead of video calls when possible 2️⃣ Schedule human moments → Call a friend mid-morning just to laugh → Casual huddle with teammates about non-work topics → Grab coffee outside 3️⃣ Set real work hours → Just because there's no commute doesn't mean you owe the company 10–11 hours → Protect your end time like it's your most important meeting 4️⃣ Invest in your environment → Good chair, external keyboard, natural light → Create separation between "work zone" and "rest zone" - even in a small apartment 5️⃣ Move like it's your job → 5-min stretch between meetings (block these!) → Take your next brainstorm outside → Treat movement as productivity, not a distraction Remote work can be sustainable, creative, even energizing - but only if you design your day like it matters. Remote work doesn't have to slowly drain you. It can actually give you more energy than office work ever did. 👇 What's one thing you do to stay healthy(ish) while working remotely? Always looking for new tips.

I have always found it incredible that changing the environment can completely change a person's mind — and spending last week in Dharamshala showed me how profound this change can be. What struck me wasn't just how calm I felt, but how effortlessly it happened. No yoga, no meditation, no apps, no optimization required. I've spent 20 years building AI to enhance human capabilities, but I’ve realized we’re simultaneously building dependencies on things we never needed. The human mind has natural mechanisms for peace, focus, and creativity that many of us have convinced ourselves need upgrading. What if the problem isn't that these mechanisms are broken - but that we've broken our ability to access them? 3 ways how we're overcomplicating being human: ► 1. Not everything needs an upgrade I watched gray langurs naturally meditating on tree branches. No apps in sight! 😂 Meanwhile, we're creating high-tech solutions for something that should come naturally to us. ► 2. Some things work better untracked The moment you try to measure mindfulness, track meditation streaks, or gamify awareness - you've already missed the point. The deepest states of presence happen when we stop trying to optimize them. ► 3. Boredom is the seedbed for creativity I hiked up to the Gallu-Devi waterfall, where I just sat, doing nothing. And my brain started wandering — connecting dots, coming up with ideas I never would have had while constantly stimulated. Another thing that struck me: people were noticeably less glued to their phones in Dharamshala than anywhere else I've traveled. Your environment pulls you back to what matters! I'm not anti-technology. I've spent my career building it, and I believe deeply in its power to transform lives. But when you're constantly surrounded by people building apps for meditation, devices for better sleep, AI for emotional wellness - you start to forget that humans managed these things for millennia without needing to upgrade. Don’t get me wrong, this tech is great, and helps millions. But for the human mind to truly thrive, we need both spaces where technology serves us AND spaces where we intentionally leave it behind. If we don't strike this balance, we risk losing what makes us essentially human. And something that makes us thrive even more… we’re not at the end of our journey! Where in your life might you need less technology, not more? And when was the last time you gave yourself permission to just... be? #travel #tech #ai

Hey LinkedIn! I wanted to take a moment to talk about something that has become incredibly important to me recently - mental health and the significance of getting outside. As we all know, our mental well-being plays a crucial role in our overall happiness and productivity. And what better way to nurture our mental health than by combining work and the great outdoors? I've implemented a new strategy for conducting my team 1:1's, and it's been a game-changer! Instead of being cooped up in an office, we take our meetings outside while going for a walk. It's a win-win situation where we mix work with health and sunshine. Not only does walking during our meetings offer us a chance to connect on a more personal level, but it also allows us to reap the benefits of physical activity and fresh air. Studies have shown that being in nature can reduce stress, boost creativity, and improve focus - all factors that contribute to a more positive work environment. So, I wanted to ask all of you - when was the last time you took a break during the workday and went for a walk? Trust me, it's worth it! Whether it's a quick stroll around the block or a longer hike in a nearby park, taking the time to step outside can do wonders for your mental well-being. And the best part about it? With many of us working remotely, the flexibility of our #thatjobotlife allows us to incorporate outdoor activities into our daily routine more easily. It's a true blessing to be able to mix work and health in such a seamless way. Let's make a conscious effort to prioritize our mental health and embrace the beauty of nature. So, I challenge you all to get outside for a walk during your workday this week and share your experience! I guarantee it'll leave you feeling refreshed, energized, and ready to conquer anything that comes your way. 💙 Jonathan Chan Jennifer Sabo Jim Cullen Abby Filliben Eric Coe #staffingandrecruiting #thatjobotlife #mentalhealthmatters #leadershipdevelopment

𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗺𝘆 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗻𝗲-𝗼𝗻-𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝗹𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴. Most professionals don’t move enough. For remote workers, it’s often just a walk to the kitchen or restroom and back. This is the new “Zoom-ba.” 😊 When I was an IT executive, some of my best 1:1s didn’t happen in my office, they happened on sidewalks or trails. No computer. No desk. Just a walk and a real conversation. These days, I work with my wife, and walking work conversations are a daily ritual. It’s where we think, laugh, reconnect, and occasionally solve the world’s problems (or at least our calendar). Walking 1:1s have serious upside: • 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲.   Side-by-side makes it easier to speak freely.    • 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗸𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗲𝗮𝗿.   Movement fuels creativity. (Science says so.)    • 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁.   The rhythm of footsteps opens up better dialogue.    • 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗰𝘂𝘁 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀.   No dings. No pings. Just trees and talk.    • 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆’𝗿𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝘆.   For your body, your mind, and your relationships.    • 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗳𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲.   Literally and mentally.    Steve Jobs was known for his walking meetings, sparking creativity and fostering candid conversations. Now, not everyone can meet in person. But there is a better version of “Zoom-ba”: • Put the AirPods in. • Turn the camera off. • Head outside. • Start walking. • Let the ideas flow. #WalkAndTalk  #LeadershipHabits  #RemoteWork  #ExecutivePresence

Gallup just dropped a report with a wild stat: Remote workers report higher engagement, but lower well-being. The reasons? Lack of watercooler moments. Too much autonomy. Coordination stress. And maybe those things play a role. But as someone who worked remotely before it was a thing, I think they’re missing something deeper. You can read more of my POV below 👇, but here's the short of it. After my third child, I worked from home full-time. I was grateful for the flexibility, proud of my performance… and silently drowning. And no, the hardest part wasn’t the tech, as Gallup would have you believe. It was the emotional bleed of being everywhere and nowhere all at once. We don’t need a return to office. We need a return to humanity. Leaders, instead of obsessing over office space, start investing in headspace. ✨ Normalize boundaries ✨ Ask real questions, not check-ins ✨ Train your eyes and ears for virtual withdrawal Did you read the Gallup report? What do you think? If you work remote or hybrid, what’s one thing that’s helped you stay emotionally healthy? #RemoteWork #WorkLifeBalance #LeadershipMatters #MentalHealthAtWork #HybridWork #FutureOfWork #HumanCenteredLeadership #Wellbeing #UnspokenRules #WorkingParents