How to Avoid Loneliness Working from Home

00:00 Introduction
00:25 Uncaught Dangers
01:48 The Loneliness Pandemic
02:45 What to do
03:20 Making Adjacent Friends
04:49 Put Your Phone Down
05:40 Join a Group or Class
06:56 Do's and Don'ts for Starting Friendships

If you're a software developer (or engineer, for that matter), chances are you've been working remotely for a while now. Technology has ushered in an age where the vast majority of knowledge workers can perform their core responsibilities from home.

It's great to be able to set your own hours and avoid the dreaded rush-hour traffic, but remote work has downsides that go beyond domestic distractions and blurred boundaries.

Working from home affects you and your colleagues. With the proper awareness, this can be a good thing. However, the reality is that there is less spontaneous social contact between workers, something we are very much accustomed to by nature. 

Research has found that digital channels such as Zoom don't trigger the entire range of physiological responses required for building trust and genuine connection. Only in-person interactions can do so - much like only nutrient-dense meals can nurture your body.