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If you find yourself struggling with anxiety following the break from being in the workplace, here are some strategies to make the transition a little easier.

Talk with your boss

It can help to think about the source of your worries if you’re experiencing anxiety in returning to the workplace. Try not to take on more than you can manage, and have a conversation with your manager or team if you are feeling overwhelmed. If your workload is the problem, raise the issue with your boss to help find a solution. If your commute is the problem, inquire about flexible and remote working. Perhaps you can work from home for a day or two a week, or adjust your start and finish times to avoid the worst of rush hour.

Try some mindfulness

Post- lockdown back to work anxiety, can encourage ‘what if’ statements as many people project ahead and worry about what may – or may not – happen. Being aware of your surroundings with mindfulness can help you stay present in the moment and improve your mental well-being.

Try practicing breathwork to help to reduce these feelings by breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth, for around three minutes, ensuring that your ‘out-breath’ is longer than your ‘in-breath’.Don’t forget that exercise is good for your mental health too.

Physical activity releases brain chemicals such as endorphins, helping to boost your mood. Although going back to work can be exhausting, try to make time for a short workout, a bike ride, or even just a walk to help cope with feelings of anxiety.

Plan fun things

t’s important to plan some enjoyable things on the horizon as you return to work. Whether it’s planning a catch-up or coffee break with a colleague, arranging to see friends at the weekend, or taking time for yourself, planning something you enjoy can help you tackle those feelings of dread and avoid feelings of overwhelm.

Acknowledge the positives of your job

Try to focus on the people or elements of your job that you enjoy. Write a list of what you enjoy doing at work, such as helping others, problem-solving, dealing with projects or being part of a team. It’s also important to remember that work doesn’t define you, so think about other elements to your life, such as hobbies, family, and other interests – and how they impact and enrich your life.

Seek professional help

If anxiety or low frequent low mood is getting in the way of enjoyable things you were once able to do without feeling anxious, consider seeking professional help. Anxiety is a recognized condition that, if left untreated, can lead a person to find it difficult to cope. Talking through your concerns with a mental healthcare professional can help you adopt coping strategies for managing your anxiety. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) can be excellent for working out solutions and learning new skills to keep on top of your mental health.

Embrace a new normal with sensitivity and care

It’s essential to be kinder to yourself and others and do what you need to do in order to get by for the first few days back in the office, rather than take on too much. When we emerge back into the outside world, it’s important we do so with the sensitivity and care that this pandemic has helped us to nurture.

(Info c/o: https://www.snapclarity.com/blog/post-lockdown-anxiety-returning-to-work-in-the-new-normal )