Hello ladies. Are you still working from home? Or maybe your office has returned to implementing work from the office? Although remote work during the pandemic has its challenges, now that many people are starting to return to offices, workers are likely feeling more stressed and anxious than we think.
According to a survey conducted by McKinsey, 1 in 3 employees said returning to work from the office negatively impacted their mental health, making them incredibly anxious and depressed. This is because connecting through online platform intermediaries like Zoom or Google Meet will be very different from communicating in person. Also, two years into the pandemic may make it uncomfortable for us to return to socializing.
This can be compounded by long-term fear of COVID-19 and fear of getting sick or contracting COVID-19. With guidelines and situations changing daily, it can be more challenging to return to work in person with a sense of security.
Many employees also view the home as a "safe" place, free from office politics, toxic work cultures, and pressures to conform to "company culture."
Moreover, change itself is never easy. For example, before the pandemic, most people were used to leaving their homes and going to work. However, the pandemic has forced many employees to adapt to remote working. And now, going back to the office is yet another adjustment.
Even if they are positive, new adjustments will get us into problems. This is because there is psychological comfort in routine, and when a routine is turned upside down, it can lead to anxious cognitions, feelings of worry and restlessness, and depression.
So what can we do to reduce stress and anxiety from having to work in the office again? Check out the following tips from Fitie, Ladies!
1. Accept your anxieties
Anxiety usually gets worse when we resist it. So accepting the anxiety feeling we experience can help us process it.
2. Gradually accustom yourself to office work
If given the choice of how much to work in the office, consider starting with a few days a week and adding more as you get used to it.
3. Establish a routine
Try to be consistent in office work. For example, determine the day and time you will be at the office and plan the task you will do that day.
4. Make a to-do list
After getting up or before going to sleep, take some time to list tasks and deadlines. Organizing will help reduce feelings of stress and being overwhelmed during this adjustment period you are going through.
5. Give yourself time to readjust
It can take some time to get comfortable with things we haven't done in a long time, such as dealing with long commutes, traffic, office distractions, chatty colleagues, or being around other people. Give yourself time to convince yourself that working from an office is 'safe and nice.'
6. Do stress-relieving activities
Schedule activities you enjoy and relieve stress at the beginning and end of the workday so you can anticipate the morning before work and release any residual stress after work. Breaks between work are also necessary to reduce stress and improve focus.
7. Set Boundaries
If returning to work is stressful because of a co-worker or boss's outrageous behavior, you may need to tell the person who crossed the line that their behavior is unacceptable.
While returning to work from the office can cause anxiety and stress, applying the above coping strategies can help ease the transition. But if the anxiety and stress you're feeling persist or worsen, don't hesitate to seek help or contact a doctor, ladies!
Don't forget to read interesting health articles from Fitie to refresh your mind!
Source:
Cassata, C., & Cassel, D. (2022). 8 Easy Ways to Reduce Back-to-Office Stress and Anxiety. Healthline. [online]. https://www.healthline.com/health-news/8-easy-ways-to-reduce-back-to-office-stress-and-anxiety
Coe, E., Cordina, J., Enomoto, K., & Stueland, J. (2021). Returning to work: Keys to a psychologically safer workplace. McKinsey & Company. [online]. https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/healthcare-systems-and-services/our-insights/returning-to-work-keys-to-a-psychologically-safer-workplace