Every day, more and more people are going back to work. After all the tribulations over the past 18 months, many people may not feel ready to return to their office jobs. We have all become accustomed to spending most of our time at home, so it’s reasonable to feel stressed over going back to work.
Here are 3 ways to stop dreading going back to work:
Going back to work is a big adjustment and should be treated as such. Sure, you probably miss your co-workers and office parties, but if you try to take it in all at once, there’s a high chance of burn out. Do your best to walk before you run. Saying yes to every social gathering that comes up, professional or personal, will put you on the fast track for overwhelm.
Most of us have acclimated to living most of our days inside our home. Now that businesses and establishments are opening up again, it’s become a sure fire formula for exhaustion for some. Take the time to truly rest after a day of working or going out with friends. You need time to adjust to life without lockdown. Taking extra breaks throughout the day with extra time to rest at night will help significantly.
Many of us enjoy socializing, whether it’s at office parties, clubs, or beaches halfway around the world. Thanks to the digital age, we have the ability to socialize with these same people without ever leaving our homes. As we ease back into “normal” life, try replacing a few of your social events with ones that are digital. Ask your boss to include a Zoom option with your weekly meetings. This will help ease your nerves about returning to non-restricted life while still attaining the social connection that we all need.
Most of us are anxious about returning to everyday life, at least a little. When you find yourself overwhelmed, try taking it one step at a time, incorporate more downtime into your schedule, and find new ways to connect with others. These are all great ways to stop dreading going back to work.
