6 Tips On How to Handle Anxiety About Returning to the Office

You receive that call from HR to return to the office after 2 years of working at home. 

Returning to work, with everything that entails — congested commutes, irritable coworkers, and left-behind family members at home — is naturally distressing for those whose pandemic-era habits are shifting this spring.

As offices reopen, some people may be concerned about safety and coronavirus limitations. Others may be fearful of change after establishing routines at home that have helped them live a more balanced life.

Working from home may have provided a haven for people who developed a mental health problems during the pandemic or whose pre-existing illnesses worsened as a result of fear and isolation. Under the fluorescent lights of an open-plan workplace, the coping methods many have developed — taking a break for fresh air to quiet racing thoughts, practicing a brief meditation to calm racing thoughts — will be more difficult to implement.

After a year and a half of split-screen meetings and no stress-inducing morning commute, getting back to the office will likely cause anxiety. Anxiety is normal though. Our brains get nervous when we’re back to unfamiliar routines. 

It's critical to figure out which aspects of returning to work make you nervous. If you're worried about utilizing public transit, for example, it could assist in "rehearsing" a portion of your journey before you return to work.

1. Self Care Practices
2. Exercising
3. Getting Enough Sleep
4. Give Yourself Options 
5. Online Counseling
6. Final Thoughts

Let’s Begin 

Self Care Practices

You hear or read a lot about self-care. What is it though? Self-care encompasses focusing on yourself. You’d be surprised how quickly our minds can become our worst enemies. It’s important to control your thoughts and focus on the positives. 

As you re-integrate into a new habit, we recommend treating yourself with kindness and compassion. Recognize that large adjustments are difficult, and we owe it to ourselves to be kind to ourselves. You can also recognize and mourn the loss of your old routine, which you may have established in the preceding two years.

Overall, self-care practices such as exercising, getting enough sleep, and limiting alcohol consumption can help you prepare for your return date.

Exercising

A 20-minute walk can make a big difference. You can change the levels of your stress and anxiety by stepping outside. 

People who exercise frequently have greater mental health and emotional wellness, as well as reduced incidences of mental disease, according to research. Taking up exercise seems to reduce the risk of developing mental illness. It also appears to aid in the treatment of mental illnesses such as sadness and anxiety.

Getting Enough Sleep

You don’t want to wake up tired and fight yourself to go to work. This can be stressful in itself. Mental health and sleep go hand-in-hand. 

As it turns out, there's a lot of truth to this idiom. Sleep is linked to mental and emotional health and has been linked to depression, anxiety, bipolar illness, and other disorders.

While the further study on the links between mental health and sleep is needed, the data so far suggests a bidirectional relationship. Sleeping problems make it more difficult to get a good night's sleep. 

At the same time, poor sleep, especially insomnia, can have a role in the onset and progression of mental health issues.

Give Yourself Options 

Sometimes we are too hard on ourselves. If you find that going back to the office is too stressful, give yourself other options. You may love your job and that’s okay. For example, aim to give yourself a second option if the office situation is not working. 

You can see if there are alternatives such as education or career advancement opportunities that will allow you to work from home. 

Online Counseling

You can seek help. There is nothing wrong with counseling or therapy sessions. If you’re too busy or have a hectic schedule, try online counseling.

Mental health treatment hasn't always been easy to get by. Many people have previously had difficulty getting health care, leading to a complete disregard of the issue.

You could have discovered that there were no counselors in your region who took your insurance, or that none took your insurance at all. You might also be suffering from a physical disease that makes it difficult for you to get to an office.

In any event, online mental health therapy is really convenient. You don't have to be in the same room as your counselor to receive the same level of treatment thanks to technology

Final Thoughts

You’re not alone though. If you are feeling overwhelmed or don’t know where to turn, realize that there is help. It will take time to transition, but you’ll be okay.

For all of us, the past year has been an eye-opening experience. It's difficult to anticipate what a return to work will entail. As businesses return to the office after a period of telework, it's critical to demonstrate empathy and patience, as well as convey your strategy.

You can make a lot simpler transition back into office life by being patient, honest, and straightforward with your workers about any issues they may have and striving to alleviate any worry they may have about returning.