Return to Office Anxiety Help

 

If you need to return to the office and feel anxious about it, this article is for you. Like many others, you’ve probably also gotten used to working from home, sometimes in your pajamas, and having more flexibility in general. With more companies asking their employees to work at the office, you might feel strange.

Packing a lunch from home, eating out, and traveling may all have an effect on you once you return to office life. To assist you in overcoming these challenges, we have put together a few practical tactics for you to try.

 

Companies Asking Employees to Go Back Into the Office

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, working remotely has become the new normal. This makes it really difficult to come back from vacations and holidays and return to the office. 

During 2020 – 2021, all across the world, businesses were closing their physical locations, allowing their staff to work from home, and developing policies to help staff members get used to working remotely. However, many of these companies are now urging their workers to return to work and resume normal operations.

Naturally, this is difficult. Employees have already gotten used to working from home. You will have to give up having meetings in your pajamas, not having to get up earlier than 10 minutes before work, and doing housework while working when you return to work. Unsurprisingly, many employees are struggling to adjust to this work environment. 

Those of you who are, you are not alone. Adjusting to major changes takes time and patience. 

 

Common Challenges of Going Back Into the Office

Employees noticed challenges when they returned to work. However, you can overcome these challenges and start seeing the benefits of office work as you become more comfortable. 

 

Commuting Time

Returning to work has increased commute times, a major drawback. Remote work has reduced commute costs and time for many workers. Additionally, commuting may be exhausting and stressful, especially for people with lengthy commutes or who must use public transit.

 

Lower Flexibility

Employee flexibility may be lost if they return to the office. Many employees have valued the flexibility to work from home because it has made managing their personal and professional lives easier. Losing this freedom when returning to the office could result in lower job satisfaction and a greater turnover rate.

 

Ways To Get Used to Being Back At the Office

Luckily, there are several ways to adjust to the above and other challenges of returning to on-site work. If you try one of these techniques and you’re not feeling better, try again the next day. 

 

• Slow Down

Though you may not enjoy returning to work, remember that your coworkers feel the same way. As they adjust, chatty coworkers may avoid talking to everyone. As you go at your own pace, so will they. 

 

• Be Intentional with Your Time

Commutes will likely affect your time during this transition. Furthermore, you must learn that you cannot be in two places at once. Cooking and working from home are possible. When you return to work, you will have to give up that luxury. Ensure you use your time wisely, such as listening to books on the way to and from work, so you have more time at home to exercise, engage in hobbies, spend time with others, and cook.  

 

• Create a New Routine

If you work from home, you are probably good at jumping on Zoom at the last minute. Having a morning ritual may seem antiquated.

Yet consider how you may combine your existing routine with the one you need. Determine when you should wake up and what kind of help you might need at home. Implement these steps gradually to have enough time to get used to them. 

 

• Set Healthy Boundaries

Many boundaries were blurred by working from home. It may be quite difficult to keep business and home life distinct when you’re seated at a makeshift desk in your kitchen or bedroom. Now, you have the opportunity to establish boundaries about your availability, communication style, and the location and hours of your job with this return to the workplace. Consider what is most effective for your emotional and professional well-being, and let your boss and coworkers know what you discover.

 

• Don’t Ignore Your Mental Health

Preparing for stressful events is a common practice, so it’s very acceptable to feel anxious. Consider taking these three actions: Set a time to go back to work, talk to others about your feelings, and have an internal discussion. Specific worries are not as bad as generalized anxiety. It is not unexpected or abrupt since it has an anchor date, which grounds it. You may better address your emotions and adjust to pressure by asking yourself questions.

Conclusion

Returning to the office is a complicated matter with advantages and disadvantages for both companies and workers. While returning to work might foster creativity and teamwork, preserve a positive workplace culture, boost output, and enhance employee wellbeing, it can also be expensive for companies, increase employee commutes, and reduce flexibility. 

When determining whether to have employees return to the office, businesses should carefully weigh these considerations and try to strike a balance that benefits both the business and the employees. With time, you will adjust well and be able to make the most of this new work environment. 

 

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