Working from home is now a large part of the new normal. In-person office meetings have now been replaced with virtual meetings using various platforms. Friends and relatives who are in different parts of the world now get connected through virtual hangouts. This concept of remote togetherness is now a normal part of our day-to-day lives and it has several advantages.
1. Saves Time and Money
We all know the hassle and stress of having to travel to and from work; not to mention its impact on our monthly budget. With almost everyone working from home; virtual meetings are now the norm. Now, we are not pressured to setup early morning alarms; to wake-up on time to get to work on time. We also save money because we don’t need to commute anymore. Now, we can have leisurely mornings and actually have more energy for work.
2. More Productivity, Less Anxiety
Our mornings affect our mood and energy for the rest of the day. We usually waken up anxious about getting to work on time. With virtual meetings; we can calmly prepare beforehand. No need to be anxious anymore. No need to be in such a hurry to get to the conference room. By being able to begin our day in a more relaxed way; we are also able to become more focused and productive at work.
3. Enhance Creativity and Collaboration
With less concern on our attires; we can be more focused on the important conversations. Of course we also exchange pleasantries and chat like we usually do before the actual meeting. But because everyone is at home, the atmosphere in virtual meetings is usually more relaxed and even fun. This means members feel more confident to speak up and share their ideas and views. This in turn, encourages more creativity and better collaboration among workmates.
4. Easier to Say “No
One of the most noticeable things in virtual meetings is that it makes it easier to decline an offer or a suggestion. Perhaps, it is because we are not next to the person we are saying “No” to; so it is much easier to refuse them. It may also be due to the fact that we all recognize that we have shifted our priorities. Now that we are always at home; we all understand that our home life and our mental health is what’s most important. Have you noticed this phenomenon too?
5. Eco-Friendly and Healthier
With virtual meetings, we take public transport less and we drive our vehicles less. This means less gas emissions, less noise and air pollution, less traffic stress and less mental anxiety. It is not only eco-friendly, it also allows us to spend more time on the good habits that help us maintain our overall wellness. Now, we don’t have to worry about an ongoing road construction on our route to work. We can still be in touch without having to step out of our safe space.
We are all aware of the benefits of social media. Virtual meetings allows us to engage with each other on a deeper level. Whether for work or just to have a virtual hangout with friends and loved ones; virtual meetings are a great way to stay connected anytime, anywhere. In fact, families have been using it to celebrate together during holidays like Christmas. It is a good tool that should we should maximize to maintain our social wellness.