Much of the workforce has been working from home since the beginning of 2020 and many employers are wondering whether to bring their workers back to the office post-coronavirus.
Finally, workers have figured out a way to balance their work life and personal life in order to stay productive while working from home, and now there are talks of coming back to the office full-time.
Returning to the office has triggered anxiety for some and excitement for others.
We believe that the anxiety stems from the unknown; Will the office be the same as before or will it be different? Are your coworkers going to abide by COVID-19 rules or not? Will you feel pressured to get more work done now that you’re in the office?
There are so many questions that workers want to ask their employers, but no one really has the right answers.
For now, all that we can do is play each day by ear and hope that the new “normal” is something that we’re all satisfied and comfortable with.
How to Decrease Work Anxiety
If you’re feeling distressed or nervous about returning to the office, understand that you’re not alone and there are ways to get around your anxiety.
Here are some helpful ways to reduce your anxiety about heading back to the office:
Mentally Prepare Yourself
Prepare yourself for having the daily tasks of going into the office every day. This includes waking up/going to bed earlier, taking the time to drive to work, getting ready and looking presentable each day, and so on.
It’s like the first day of school all over again, and we have to find a way to make it exciting instead of nerve-wrecking.
Lay out the clothes that you’re going to wear the next morning, pack a nice lunch, prepare your morning coffee, and get a good night’s rest.
Talk to Your Boss
If you’re unsure of what to expect at the office, reach out to your boss and ask.
Ask them what’s going to change/stay the same, what the COVID-19 protocols are, what you can do to feel comfortable in the office and so on.
Your boss should give you a straightforward email on what to expect when you return to your workplace in order to calm your nerves.
Have a Routine
Whether you’re working from home or not, it’s typical to set a routine for yourself during the week.
If not, you should set a routine once you begin going back to the office so that you know what to expect out of each day.
Practice Patience
Make sure to understand that this is a first for everyone and that the answers won’t be clear at first.
Pandemics don’t happen very often but when they do, we need to be patient with how we’re handling the protocols in order to keep everyone safe.
Self-Care When You Need To
You should still focus on taking care of yourself even after returning to the office.
Practice daily hobbies that make you mentally, physically and emotionally strong.
These hobbies could be anything from working out to painting, taking a daily walk, biking, reading and so on.
Do the things that make you feel good every day so that your mind is stronger in the end.
Returning to the Office Sparks Anxiety
The world is battling the pandemic country-by-country and there is no “one size fits all” practice.
Whether your work anxiety is triggered by safety concerns, COVID-19 protocols, your boss’s expectations or whatever else, you’re not alone.
Decrease your work anxiety with our tips and let us know how they helped you.
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