With a return to your cubicle on the books, you have to get used to all the trappings of working in an office again. And after a long time working remotely, it may take some time.
There are some definite pros to returning to the office. Your return to in-person work may come as a relief if you live in a cramped studio, share a space with loud roommates, or have kids interrupting your daily Zoom meetings.
But like anything else in life, the office comes with some cons, too. You’ll have to resume your old commute, and you’ll be sharing a space with people who may or may not be vaccinated.
If you’re starting to feel stressed about your back-to-work date, keep scrolling. Below you’ll find some practical tips to keep your stress low so that you can arrive on the first day back with a smile.
Prime Your Physical Health
During the lockdown, the chances of getting the common cold were low. You were social distancing, working from home, and washing your hands more often.
But now that restrictions ease, you’re going to encounter more germs than usual, so there’s a good chance you might catch a cold.
To reduce your risk, be careful about common surfaces, things you share, and always wash your hands before eating. These tips might help you avoid unpaid sick leave, doctor’s appointments, and medication.
Have a Plan in Place for Emergencies
Just in case you’re unlucky, consider how you would handle unexpected time off and a doctor’s bill. If you don’t have a cash cushion right now, you can visit a financial institution like MoneyKey to learn about online loans that might help.
An online loan acts like a safety net when you must see a doctor or pay for unexpected prescription medicine in an emergency. Once you pay it back, you can focus on rebuilding your savings, so you can handle the next unexpected expense on your own.
You should aim to save three to six months’ worth of living expenses in these savings so that you can handle several small expenses, one big purchase, or even extended unpaid leave.
Focus on Your Mental Health
Addressing what makes you nervous about work can help ease your worries, so try to identify why you’re upset. If you understand your triggers, you can learn techniques to manage your anxiety.
You might also want to reach out to your employer to find out what they’re planning on doing to keep you safe. You can bring up your concerns and try to work together to make things work.
Understand That What You’re Feeling is Normal
You aren’t the only one to have the first-day jitters. This re-entry anxiety is something you share with millions of people as the world navigates post-pandemic life.
These feelings stem from having your routine upended. Not only are you giving up the work-from-home life you’ve known for the past year or so, but you’re also returning to an office that will look different than before. New safety protocols will dictate your return, changing everything about how you work and interact with colleagues.
This day was going to come, sooner or later. Now that it has arrived, take the time to prepare yourself for it. These tips can help you ignore the cons so that you can focus on the pros of your return.
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