Remote work and mental health are more connected than most people realise. Ever since the pandemic, we’ve become more and more aware of this fact. For digital nomads, freelancers, and remote employees, the benefits of working from anywhere are often based on the fact that it’s easier: flexibility, freedom, and more time for life outside of work. However, if working remotely isn’t handled properly, it can have a pretty negative impact on mental health.
In this post, we explore how remote work and mental health crossover and will try to help you thrive while working remotely. And if you need some help figuring out where to move next, check out our Cost of Life article for Valencia, Spain.
Is remote work and mental health possible?
Let’s start with the bright side. Remote work can do wonders for mental health but you have to put work and effort to do it well. Having control over your schedule allows you to work during your most productive hours. No daily commute means more sleep, less stress, and more time for things that matter to you.
Surveys show that 98% of remote workers want to continue this lifestyle long-term. It’s not just about convenience, it’s about being able to do more with your time. Less time commuting and more time in a space you have complete control over has been linked to lower stress levels, improved focus (if you can self regulate your time on your own), and higher job satisfaction.
Digital nomads, in particular, often mention an increase in personal wellbeing and fulfilment when they move to a country that better matches their lifestyle goals. They feel free to choose, which is directly linked to higher engagement and motivation. It also contributes to “intrinsic motivation”, which is doing work because it’s meaningful, not just because you have to.
Additionally, people who work remotely tend to enjoy of better sleep and have healthier morning routines. Studies show that 62% of remote employees feel more productive at home, largely due to reduced workplace interruptions. However, if you have kids or are easily distracted or you don’t have a lot of will power to stay on track, that can change really fast.
When remote work and mental health clash
But remote work is not only waring sweatpants, working on your laptop from your couch. Those same «benefits» can be your downfall. Lack of boundaries. Many remote professionals find themselves working longer hours or feeling like they should always be connected.
However, one of the biggest issues is loneliness. Without daily interaction with coworkers or a local network, feelings of isolated can appear alarmingly fast. For digital nomads who move frequently, the lack of consistent relationships and community can make things even harder.
Why is this an issue? Even f you think you wont be affected, over time, chronic isolation can increase the risk of depression and anxiety. In one study, remote workers who traveled abroad reported depression at three times the rate of domestic workers, which is something than many wouldn’t expect. After all, isn’t travelling the world most people’s dream? having friends in every continent.
And there’s also the risk of disconnection from team culture, if you work in a full remote company. That’s why many remote workers feel “out of the loop” or unsupported. In fact, 1 in 4 remote workers report a decline in mental health due to lack of social interaction or professional feedback. For freelancers, this sense of disconnection is often worsened by the pressure of having to manage everything alone.
Remote freelancers and gig workers also face financial uncertainty and job insecurity, which can add stress. Irregular income, lack of benefits, and the pressure to always be finding the next client can create a mental burden that’s hard to shake off.
Why a coworking space makes a difference
If you’re looking to improve your remote work experience-and protect your mental health along the way-coworking can be a powerful solution.
At International Coworking Valencia, we’re more than just a place to plug in your laptop. We offer a welcoming, international community in the heart of Valencia, where freelancers, digital nomads, and remote employees find both focus and connection. Whether you’re working from here for a week or several months, our space helps you:
- Break isolation with casual coffee chats and community events
- Create structure with a routine and a clear boundary between work and personal time
- Stay inspired in a creative, multicultural environment with natural light, fast Wi-Fi, and comfortable work zones
- We also host networking events, business meetups, and productivity workshops, so you’re not just coworking-you’re growing, personally and professionally.
Need a mental reset during your workday? Our location is just minutes away from Valencia’s beautiful parks, cafés, and cultural landmarks. Step out, breathe, recharge.
How can you combine remote work and mental health?
So, how can you enjoy the benefits of remote work without risking your mental well-being? Here are a few practices that can help:
- Stick to a routine. Create a regular start and end time for your day-even if it’s flexible. A routine tells your brain that the workday has a reachable end.
- Designate a workspace. Even if you don’t have a home office, work from a consistent spot. This physical separation supports mental clarity.
- Take ACTIVE breaks. Whether it’s running, a walk around the block, or a Youtube Workout, movement will help you clear your head, even if you don’t feel like it.
- Stay socially connected. Coworking spaces (like ours), online communities, or local meetups can provide much-needed connection and reduce feelings of isolation.
- Use mental health tools. Apps like Headspace, Calm, or Moodpath can help manage stress and track your emotional well-being. Many therapists now offer teletherapy sessions, making professional help more accessible than ever.
- Boundaries! Just because you can work late doesn’t mean you should. Use calendar tools to block off non-working hours, and turn off notifications when you’re off the clock. This simple practice has been shown to lower stress and reduce burnout risk.
Mental Health for digital nomads
If you’re living the digital nomad lifestyle, there are a few unique mental health considerations to keep in mind. Constant travel means new time zones, unfamiliar languages, and regular goodbyes-which can create emotional fatigue. To stay mentally grounded while on the move:
- Build routines that travel with you. That could mean daily journaling, a weekly video call with a friend, or doing yoga every morning-regardless of your location.
- Stay somewhere long enough to build micro-connections. Even a two-week coliving stay can provide the community you need to feel anchored.
- Limit decision fatigue. Avoid planning too many new destinations in a short period.
- Join nomad communities: Something like Nomad List, Digital Nomads Around the World (Facebook),… These provide both social connection and practical advice.
- Pay attention to your emotions. If you’re feeling drained or restless, take a break from moving and rest in one place for a while. Mental health doesn’t take a vacation even if you’re living on the beach in Bali.
Remote work offers incredible freedom, but it also asks for self-awareness and structure. The way you work directly affects the way you feel. As more people work full time online, the conversation around remote work and mental health needs to stay front and center. Because being happy working remotely isn’t just about where you work: it’s about how you take care of yourself every day of the week.