Millions of Americans had to change the way they worked throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Some had to deal with job loss. Others started working from home or adopting some kind of hybrid schedule.
Now that things are opening back up, more people are returning to work. Whether you’re starting a new job or getting back to your old place of business, it can feel good to have a sense of normalcy again.
But, because of how much things have changed, you also might feel anxious, or even fearful about returning to the office.
If you are, understand that you’re not alone. Life has changed, and many things will never be the same. After dealing with the pandemic for over a year, it’s understandable why you might be anxious. But you don’t have to let it control your life.
Let’s look at how you can manage work anxiety as you ease into the “new normal”.
Take Precautions
If you’re still uneasy or unsure about returning to work, ask yourself why. You might feel anxious about being around others, about contracting the virus, or about unknowingly contracting it and passing it to others.
When you figure out the root cause of your anxiety, you can take the necessary precautions to work against it. For some, continuing to wear a mask around others can ease some of that worry. Or, you might continue to socially distance yourself while you’re in the office.
If you’re worried about being around too many people at once, talk to your employer about easing back into things. Work together to figure out how everyone can feel comfortable and safe under one roof.
Practice Self-Care
Self-care is a term that gets thrown around quite a bit. But, it’s more than just a buzzword. Now, more than ever, practicing self-care on a regular basis is important. It will help to reduce stress, keep you physically healthy, and calm down your symptoms of anxiety.
The good news? You can practice self-care in the comfort of your own home, or at work. It’s different for everyone, so find something that works for you. If you’re not sure where to start, consider some of the following ideas:
- Exercising
- Journaling
- Mindfulness/meditation
- Cooking
- Reading
- Catching up with a friend
If you’re at work and feeling overwhelmed, make sure you’re taking breaks. Even if you only have a few minutes of free time, stand up, do some stretches, or take a walk around outside. A few minutes of self-care can go a long way.
Talk to Someone
It’s important to know that you’re not alone in the way you’re feeling. Again, the world has changed, and some people have a harder time with that than others.
Talk to your friends, family, and co-workers about how they’re feeling. Knowing you have someone out there who might deal with similar struggles can help you work through your own. Having support when you’re dealing with anxiety is always important, and this is no exception.
If you’re not comfortable talking to people in your life about your anxious feelings, speaking with a therapist or counselor can help. Anxiety can be managed to the point where it doesn’t control your life anymore. But, it often takes getting to the underlying cause of the anxiety to make that happen.
A therapist can help you uncover those root causes. Once you have a better understanding of why you’re anxious, you can work on different ways to cope and manage your symptoms every day.
If you’re struggling with anxiety about returning to the office, feel free to contact me to schedule a complimentary 20 minute consultation. Together, we’ll work on effective coping techniques, so you can get back to work comfortably and safely. To learn more about how you can work on effective coping techniques and getting back to work comfortably and safely through counseling for anxiety, click here.
