Welcome to the February summary edition of the Remote Work Wellbeing Digest - the response has been fantastic, so many thanks to every single dedicated subscriber! Towards the end of every month, I will summarise the most recent research and topics covered in the digest in this short post below, meaning you have a reminder of the most pertinent topic easily at hand!

How many emojis have you seen or sent recently? Perhaps like me to start with, you were not a big fan of their use, it took some convincing for me to use them, along with the extensive expansion of the range of emojis now available so I felt I could really express myself. Now, they are an integral part of effective electronic communications and expression. Read on to understand the full impact of these simple yet powerful icons and symbols:

With so much media coverage on "The Great Resignation", I will focus on the clear links between the negative impact of emergency home working on individual worker wellbeing. Read on to take a deeper look at how these effects still prevail.

Hybrid working was initially hailed as the “best of both worlds”, mixing home working with some days in the physical office - but is the reality a disappointment? Is it ideal to have to adjust to two totally different working settings week after week? And factoring in the commute, is it potentially doubling the effort needed? Let’s examine the context, transition needed and readiness of many workers to make the hybrid working effective for them as an individual and ways to support a positive implementation.

With the most extensive relaxation of rules in Ireland for almost 23 months it seems more likely than ever that more workers will start to return to the physical workspace. Some organisations have already a staged plan in place, with some workers already working the hybrid model (remote some days and others in the physical office). Read on as I share my best advice on how to put into practice a staged return with compassionate leadership at the core of any approach.

Have you forgotten the how and why of human and social connection in the rush to stay productive during your home working day? Read on to reignite the way you foster these vital connections and integrate them as second nature into your routine.

If we continually push ourselves sitting at a device without ever taking breaks, the quality of our work will suffer. Science says clearly that your brain needs regular breaks to function effectively and productively. Know the facts, then plan and take breaks in your remote working day.

Time for a new year, a new start and perhaps some new resolutions? Replace those finite resolutions with a more incremental approach; using positive intentions and mantras in your remote work day - for a more sustainable approach to fostering change and prioritising your personal wellbeing.

Will you be checking your email on Christmas Day? And more importantly, do you have reason to or is it just a habit? Some of you may find the second question redundant. Sure, what does it matter, a quick check or sending a few emails at the weekend?

Recently there has been an increase in the awareness of workplace burnout, but perhaps more as a buzzword than with the serious focus it deserves. In some cases, you could argue that it has been used as a badge or symbol of the ultimate sacrifice to our tendency to overwork and be a martyr to our “always on” culture. Read on to hear the risks, symptoms and proactive ways to tackle and reverse burnout.

What healthy habits have you instilled during your remote and home working day, with no afterthought? What is second nature now and has become a part of your core routine? Read on to learn more about the power of healthy habits.

Feeling "zoomed out" or like you have stepped out of a dark tomb of back-to-back video meetings!? Many remote workers are expressing the same complaint and we know it can take a toll on our individual well-being. Read on to learn how you can minimize, manage and reset your approach to video conferencing.

When was the last time you read a book in the bath, undisturbed, fully relaxed and with no distractions? Self-care prioritisation is vital for a healthy home working approach, however it is often considered as selfish and self-indulgent. Reframe your approach to self-care, read on and download your personalised self-care template, to start to enhance your self-care today!

Kickstart your wellbeing in home working again, by paying myself first! How detailed is your personalised self-care profile? Have you included short, specific and achievable activities? How about new things to explore? Read on to learn how to expand your thinking and doing in your self-care.

How can blended learning models use Virtual Agreements, Contracts or Charters to improve the experience for students?

Since the pandemic, each scholar year seems to be different from each others. For this reason, third-level institutions and schools are exploring new ways to implement a blended learning model. This model requires constant feedback from students and adaptation because the goal is to meet their needs and keep them engaged.

When I realized I was on the brink of burnout, through reflective writing I started to notice the signs and I immediately took action: I started writing every morning, booking extra days off, blocking deep-work periods, saying no, resetting expectations with clients, talking about it, doing focused breathe and voice work, adding in supports and doing the things that nurture me, like noticing nature.

Leaders have been experiencing new challenges: in times of crisis, such as the pandemic and its sudden shift to remote work, they must be able to lead but also to take care of people both at the office and at a distance. Empathy, listening, involvement and effective communication are the most important skills.

With the end of the pandemic finally in sight, and with many workers not willing to go back to pre-pandemic arrangements, companies are focusing on blended and hybrid models of work. How can individuals prepare effectively for this return to the physical office.

Examining how digital nomads in rural communities and co-livings can support socio-economic growth is vital in understanding and analysis the benefits of this type of project to rural regeneration.