When the COVID-19 pandemic shut down our offices we were all a little shaken. Now, health officials are giving the okay for things to reopen and life to get a bit back to “normal” and we are again uncertain. How are things going to look when we get back? How am I supposed to juggle work and home responsibilities again? What about the commute? Lunch meetings? Childcare?
While some of us are indeed excited to return, others have mixed feelings. There are a number of benefits to returning to the office—having a dedicated workspace, more boundaries between work and home life, increased productivity, less loneliness, etc. But, the return also means giving up some of the flexibility of working remotely and increases concerns over personal safety. Some studies are even reporting that workers will quit their jobs if forced to return in person.
Regardless of whether you are for or against returning in-person, any transition can be daunting. It is important that you keep your mental health in check as you make these transitions—whatever they may look like to you. Counseling and therapy can be helpful options for those unsure how to navigate these changing times.
Here are some tips to take care of you and your mental health during this transition:
Focus on the Positives
Along with the negatives, there are a lot of positives to returning to the office. You no longer have to worry about your child, roommate, or your dog interrupting your meeting. When you leave work, you can actually “leave” it. And, collaborating with a coworker will be as simple as yelling over your desk. Focusing on the positives helps to put things into perspective and shift our thinking so we feel better about the situation.
Establish Personal Boundaries
You have just spent over a year working from your home. You could wear whatever you wanted (at least on your lower half). You could use your own bathroom, pick your nose whenever you wanted, eat your own food in your own kitchen, and set the tone for your personal workspace. As you re-enter the office space it is normal to feel some anxiety. Make sure you establish appropriate boundaries with others in your office as you make the transition— maybe start by keeping meetings small, asking that others knock on your office door before entering, buying a personal fridge or bringing a cooler each day, etc.
Ease into it
If you are nervous about the social aspect of returning to the office, it can be helpful to ease back into those social groups. Consider meeting a few coworkers for coffee before you return. Ask your boss if you can start by coming in a few days a week and clocking in remotely the rest of the time. Figure out a plan that works for you.
Plan Your Routine
Write out your schedule for the first few weeks so you can establish a time to take care of the things you were doing when you were home. Instead of working out on your lunch break, maybe now you have to wake up earlier. No time to do grocery shopping or meal planning in between work calls? Schedule a time to do it in the evening or on the weekends.
Practice Self-Care
Even the most prepared can feel overwhelmed by transitions. Take stock in how you feel and notice when you are stressed. Then, take action before that stress piles up. Write it out. Practice meditation or mindfulness. Set up a weekly call with friends or a mental health professional like a counselor or therapist.
Don’t forget to take time for yourself. In order to be the best employee, you need to feel your best—eat right, get enough sleep, move. Remind yourself that these feelings will soon pass and things will start to feel okay again.
Ready to begin counseling in PA?
The professionally trained and licensed counselors at Rooted & Rising Therapy in Pittsburgh have openings. Our practice specializes in treating individuals through years of experience, we’re confident that no problem is too great to overcome. Through therapy, there is always a way to address the issues you face and learn coping strategies to help you both right now and in the future. Just call our office at (412) 228-8489 or email us at info@rootedandrisingtherapy.com to get started to feeling better today. We are here for you.