Working from home existed before the pandemic, although for many it was unthinkable. A recent study from the University of South Australia has investigated the extent to which this new modality affects humans. “Working from home makes us happier,” says the study, which began before COVID-19 and continued long afterward. The results are clear: when people can choose to work from home instead of being forced to, they are healthier, happier, and more satisfied with their jobs.
Homeoffice affected Australians’ sleep, stress, eating habits, productivity, and mental health
Before 2020, in many workplaces, even considering the possibility of working from home seemed impossible, as the pace of work, technology, and so on seemed to make everything more complicated. Researchers tracked how teleworking affected Australians’ sleep, stress, eating habits, productivity, and mental health. Across the board, people who had the option to work from home reported significant improvements in well-being.
“Working from home makes us happier,” the study says. And that’s because there are more hours of rest, more flexible (or not so much) schedules, and combining it with the hustle and bustle of family life is vital. The pandemic pushed millions into remote work almost overnight. What was first seen as temporary has become a long-term reality. This study shows that flexibility is the real game-changer.
Cutting out long commutes means less stress, more energy, and better mental health
One of the most immediate effects is the ability to sleep more. People who telework avoid commuting by car or school bus and can shave minutes off their alarm clock. Remote workers averaged 30 extra minutes of sleep each night. Cutting out long commutes—often more than four hours per week—means less stress, more energy, and better mental health. This leads to better mental health and less stress.
Approximately one-third of this extra time was spent on leisure and physical activity, which contributed to a reduction in sedentary behavior. The time saved on commuting wasn’t wasted. Workers took advantage of it in different ways, such as getting ahead on their work tasks, spending more time with family, exercising, or enjoying their hobbies. In fact, other studies corroborate this: teleworking can provide employees with the equivalent of 10 additional days of free time per year. Spending free time on leisure and physical activity actually reduces sedentary behavior.
The difference is noticeable when remote work is mandatory but when employees have remote work as an option
One of the biggest debates among companies regarding remote work is productivity. Many managers fear that remote work reduces output. But this study, along with similar findings worldwide, says the opposite: productivity remains steady or even improves. The difference is noticeable when remote work is mandatory, for example during the pandemic, but when employees have remote work as an option, they are much more motivated and satisfied with their workdays.
The study highlights that people ate healthier and are more satisfied
Another important point is eating habits. Although alcohol briefly used rose during strict lockdowns, the overall trend showed lower stress and improved mental resilience when people worked from home by choice. And in general, the study highlights that people ate healthier because they have time to cook and to eat slowly, not with the rush of routine.
In short, we can say that this study is a ray of light at the end of the tunnel for what was once considered a 9-5 job. Commuting hours are reduced, dynamics are changing, life rhythms are different, and productivity clearly remains the same, adding to the fact that workers are more satisfied. This Australian study confirms what many workers already suspected: flexibility is the future of work.
