2020 the return...how do we return to work in a post-lockdown world?

So September has arrived, that autumnal chill has already graced us with its presence, the kids have skipped off to their new year of adventure at school....it feels like there has already been a significant shift in pandemic life and now the government are encouraging both public and private sector businesses to get back to the office. Whilst logistically, this is fairly straightforward (masks and social distancing permitting), how do we manage this psychologically? And what about those that are furloughed or have been made redundant while the world moves forward?

While we’d just about managed to get used to lockdown life, some have got to start getting ready for heading back into the workplace, be it the office, the manufacturing plant or the therapy room. You may even have been thrust back into it already. But adjusting to a new kind of workplace can be overwhelming. No longer are communal kitchens the place of catch up chats with your work wife, breakout areas have lost the creative buzz that once took place and desks are now spaced out like classrooms of old. 

A survey conducted by mental health organisation TalkOut, revealed that 68% of those surveyed felt anxious or apprehensive about a potential return to work. So what can you do to ease the overwhelm, adapt to the change and embrace a new kind of working?

1. Focus on controlling what you can, not what you can’t. If we’re honest, there are lots of things that are currently out of control and as humans, we tend to always look at the things we can’t control causing us an enormous amount of anxiety. If we flip it on its head and look at the things we can control, it can help us to feel calm, reduce anxiety and be in the here and now. Write a list of all the things you can control and remind yourself of these each day.
2. Get informed. Read all the new information your workplace/building has shared on ways of working and covid-19 measures in place. Being informed is a great way to reduce anxiety and also helps you plan ahead and be more prepared in what to expect.
3. Practice your new commute. When we’re unsure of something, anxiety can rear its ugly head. Practicing your commute whether it will be the same or change because you want to avoid public transport, will help you feel more comfortable and find out any challenges it might bring. If you find you no longer want to go on the tube, what alternatives can you find? If you used to car share but now this is difficult, could you cycle?
4. Think of alternative ways to spend your lunchtimes. Chances are where and how you spend lunchtimes may change because of space and social distancing restrictions. Whilst lunchtimes of old may have been you and your work besties sitting in the canteen chatting about the new trending Netflix series, this is the perfect opportunity to do something different. How about you get outside for a lunchtime walk, or that yoga class you’ve always thought about doing, take up a new hobby that you could spend an hour doing, meditate - anything that makes you feel good!
5. Bring some familiarity from your days in lockdown. Did you treat yourself to a green tea and a kitkat at 11.30am? (Ha I did!) Did you go outside into the garden to feel the sun on your face when the 3pm slump hit? (Yep did this too!) Bringing in those tiny habits we may have started doing during lockdown can brighten up our day and make us feel happy and re-energised.
6. Think about your own health and safety. Do you have everything you need to stay safe and well? Have some fun and create your own little covid-19 pack that you can have with you at all times - cue cute face mask, luxury hand sanitizer, scented desk wipes...
7. Share your anxieties with others. Chances are they may be feeling the same. Perhaps you can set up a safe space for people to share their feelings. Can you use the intranet to post positive messages or information about what’s happening in the workplace so everyone feels informed and comfortable. Whatever you do, share your feelings with someone you trust and get support.
8. Be okay with it not feeling normal for a while. Things are unlikely to feel normal after a day. We often put pressure on ourselves to be okay with things straight away but acknowledging that things aren’t normal and you don’t feel okay is helpful.
9. Practice self-care. Make sure you practice self-care each day, whether this is before, during or after work. We all need self-care. It will look different for us all but find what works for you and brings you the most joy and happiness. The purpose of self-care is to reduce stress, support our mental and physical health and improve our mood and wellbeing.
10. Think about the benefits of being back. Whilst many feel that working from home during lockdown has been extremely beneficial and may not want to head back to the workplace, if you’re called back to the office think about what you gain from being there - perhaps a sense of purpose, a clear definition between home and work, seeing different faces, some ‘you’ time away from your family after being with them 24/7. This will help you to create a new found appreciation for your workplace.
11. Get creative. Think about different ways you can bring the office back to life in a different way. With it reported that workplaces being unable to have 100% of their teams in the office at any given time, how can you bring the team together for some fun or recreate those water cooler moments for those that may not be physically present.

As with the last 7 months, there are a lot of unknowns and uncertainties yet to come but with a little bit of help, we can navigate our way through whatever happens.

I'd love to hear your experiences of returning back to the workplace so do share.