Work good for socialisation and mental stimulation

[mids2019]

According to psychologists work is important for social interaction and mental stimulation as well as giving life a meaning

In reality how many people are going to work for mental health benefits (i.e. truly enjoy their job) in society?

I think such comments like these from academics often regarding older people or those with mental health challenges demeaning and borderline offensive. People need to work to support families and performance obviously is managed.

Am I completely wrong to say that it is perhaps a narrow naive perspective that work is some kind of panacea to loneliness or boredom?

I hate my job. It’s demanding and stressful and a lot of the people I work with are awful. But I still think it’s better for my mental health to be doing it than not. I have a sense of purpose, something to occupy my brain. However awful some colleagues are, others are great, and the camaraderie of being in it together makes up for some of the shit bits. I would think very, very carefully before deciding I wasn’t going to work any more.

I really like my job, or rather I really like the combination of my job, my hours (compressed), the fact I almost completely work from home, the team I work in and the manager I have.

I am happier now working full time but compressed hours, doing this job, than I was working part time in a job I liked less, with a bad manager, with more time to myself.

I think the generic "work benefits your mental health" is difficult, but if you get the right combination of circumstances, it can.

I worked from home pre covid for 4 years. I really need to be out at work at least 3 days a week. 2 WFH are OK.

It's a physical shrinking of the world otherwise that then also feels like a shrinking of my brain!

I do think the 4 day week should be more common.