Returning to “business as usual”.
The current pandemic has been a stressful time for everyone. Many of us had difficulty transitioning to working from home, but learned to love the flexibility of it. After a year and a half of our new routines, many of us have been asked to return to our pre-pandemic “9-5 grind” in the office. We are hesitant to return to our offices and leave behind our new found flexibility and freedom.
You may find resistance on your part to return to the office, but this is something you assumed would eventually happen. The question you may find yourself asking is “how am I going to acclimate to the office environment again?”. The anxiety and feelings of uncertainty you are experiencing are no surprise and are perfectly normal given the circumstances; the process will take time. Give yourself time to adjust to life back in the office and rest assured that many of your coworkers are likely experiencing the same feelings you are. Now, there are many ways to help alleviate some of the anxiety you are experiencing and they can easily be added into your workday. Here are just a few tips/ suggestions:
Wake up a few minutes earlier than needed and indulge in 15 minutes of “me time”. This will reduce your level of stress in the morning and set your day of on a good note. Your “me time” can be anything that makes you happy. Be it reading while having your coffee, a short exercise routine, an uninterrupted shower or a few minutes of meditation.
Wear an outfit that makes you feel good about yourself. Fix your appearance so that you feel confident. One of the biggest changes we experienced working from home was that we no longer needed to dress up, many of us literally spent the day in our “comfy clothes”.
Listen to your favorite music, podcast or book on your way to work. Again, setting the tone for a great day.
Set a timer or some form of notice to remind you to engage in a minute or two of deep breathing every few hours. Remember, breath in deeply through your nose and out through your mouth. Shoot for at least 3 deep breathes.
Try to give yourself a break from the computer screen and sitting every hour so. Whether you take a bathroom break, walk to the printer/fax or just take a quick strut around the office. Too much screen time can cause you to feel emotionally and physically drained.
If you find yourself being overwhelmed by feelings of anxiety, take a break. Use your deep breathing or engage in progressive muscle relaxation. You can find many guided videos on this or meditation readily available to you on YouTube.
Make it a point to check in with coworkers you previously enjoyed working with. Enjoyable office banter could relieve some of the stress you feel throughout the day and helps you feel connected to your place of employment. I’m sure you will also find that your coworkers are experiencing the same feelings you are and it’s always comforting to know we are not alone in our experiences.
Lastly, don’t beat yourself up about having a difficult time with the transition back. IT’S OK to not be ok. If you find yourself at a point where you still can’t adjust after a few weeks or find your anxiety increasing as time goes by, reach out for help. This may be a sign that you need extra help overcoming these emotions and seeking a therapist may be the most beneficial decision for you.