As employees are now returning to the workplace more regularly, it’s a busy time of year for everyone. Whether you have been working from home full-time or flexi-working, many of us have had to adjust to a new normal. This has involved spending more time at home and only seeing many colleagues on screen and the idea of being back in the workplace can sometimes create anxiety.
This anxiety can affect both those returning to work and those who remained working onsite and have adjusted to a less densely populated office. Anyone who has struggled with their mental health may have found respite in being at home and could find it particularly difficult to return to an office environment.
Since it’s winter, it can also be a challenge to leave home in the dark and return in the dark as well. So, we all need to focus on our own personal wellbeing and exercise regime more than ever. It’s harder to keep to healthy routines at this time of year compared to the summer, but it can also be more rewarding and being outdoors can make the winter speed by.
Here’s some tips to help ease any anxiety and make your new working routine easier, maybe even better than before!
- Minimise the unknown by taking time to understand exactly what it is that you are fearing. And, get clear on exactly which parts of being at home you have particularly enjoyed. Have a think about how you can build this into your routine whilst returning to the office.
- Talk to your manager about any specific concerns and how they can support you. If part of your worry is about the safety of the workplace, ask your manager about what safety measures are currently in place, and how the office has been adapted. This will give you a clearer understanding of what to expect. This could be the perfect time to change aspects of your job that you’re not happy with for the better, for example working flexible hours to avoid the busiest times on public transport. Create a schedule with your manager for your first weeks back, make plans for what you’ll do, when and where so you know exactly what to expect. Have regular catch-ups with your manager, let them know what you’re finding helpful or difficult.
- Arrange to catch up on any training you’ve missed or book in some extra training to brush up on certain skills which you may feel rusty on. Make use of other support services within your organization, like peer support groups, coaching, counselling, occupational health or employee assistance programmes (EAP). Check with your HR department if you’re not sure what’s available.
- Get back in touch with colleagues, give them a call or book lunch with people you have missed so you feel more connected and have events in your work diary to look forward to. If you’re feeling particularly worried about your first day back you could arrange to meet someone for an early coffee so you can arrive together and they can help introduce you back into the space.
- Catch up on news from your workplace, have a read of the latest newsletters so you know what to expect.
- You could plan a visit to work before you return to re-familiarise yourself with the workplace and remind yourself of all the friendly faces!
- If your waking and sleeping routine has changed without a commute to work, in the days leading up to your return, go to sleep and wake up at the same time as if you were going to work, this will ease your body clock back into rhythm and prevent extra fatigue on your first week back which could make the process feel more difficult.
- Learn mindfulness and breathing techniques to give you the tools you need to stay calm and grounded despite change and uncertainty. Brindleyplace offers free yoga classes on a Wednesday lunchtime which will teach you all the skills you need to keep your body and mind happy and healthy every week.
- Create a new routine which you will look forward to. While we’re hard-wired as humans to pay more attention to the negative, it’s important to remember what we miss about working onsite. Was it a lunchtime walk along the canal, great food at lunchtime, or catching up with colleagues each morning? Brindleyplace has an astounding array of local amenities, including free yoga classes, free monthly massages, cycle to work schemes, bee keeping courses, beautiful walking or jogging routes, fantastic places to eat with plenty of offers available, all easily accessible on the Brindley Life app.
