As most of us know, lockdown changed the ways in which most of us work. Whether you were on furlough, working from home or working throughout, the working environment as we know it has significantly changed for the future. Whilst lockdown has ended, the way in which we are adapting to work has not. With many offices remaining closed or offering flexible working for those who want to travel into the office a few days a week. We are still far off knowing what the future of working holds and whether the formal traditional office style of working will become a thing of the past. These changes in working environments and routines can be distressing for some people, especially for those of you who have worked in a particular way for many years. Re-adjusting to a new environment after so long can be challenging. Ultimately, our working conditions have a huge impact on our lives as we spend the majority of our time at work. Therefore, if you are unhappy in your new working environment or feel anxious over returning to work, it can mentally negatively impact your life. That is why more and more people seek a therapist’s help to help them adjust to their new life and working styles. In the meantime, this blog aims to help share some tips to adapt to a return to everyday work life.

How to readjust to office life

Understand how you are feeling

Recognising how you feel about your working situation and what difficulties you are facing makes it easier to overcome these issues. Understand how changes to your work-life impact your emotions.

Make a plan

Planning for the next couple of weeks ahead is a great way to build up and plan a new routine. This allows you to feel more prepared for your return to work and understand what to expect. Factoring in things like travel, socialising, healthy lunches are a great way to hit the ground running. This can also help you avoid stressors such as travelling during rush hour.

Follow safety regulations

All workspaces will continue with a number of safety implements in place; it is essential to follow these protocols to protect yourself and others. This, therefore, creates a happier, safer work environment and will reduce anxieties over working post-covid. In addition, these hygiene and safety practices will help reduce the spread of covid and fight off other illnesses that may have mental impacts.

Think about your team

Finding that work/social balance can be challenging after months inside working from the comfort of your own home. Everyone will differ in how they feel towards easing restrictions; whilst some may look forward to returning to the office, others may find this very distressing. It is important to respect people’s boundaries within the office in terms of handshakes, distancing and masks. Don’t feel embarrassed if you’re the only one still sticking to social distancing or masks; likewise, don’t judge anyone on their decision to follow safety rules.Enjoying the company of colleagues can be a great morale booster for working life, don’t let yourself become afraid of socialising amongst colleagues and remember that work is a great place to meet new people.

Get plenty of rest

All change is exhausting, especially now that you may be having to get up earlier and come home later now that you no longer work from the comfort of your living room. This will help you appreciate the evenings and your weekends so much more, whereas during the lockdown, weekends and free time blended into work life. Getting plenty of rest is essential when readjusting to working at the office again.

Retain new habits

Lots of us found new hobbies during lockdown or found ourselves spending more time with family. However, it’s important to find the time and balance to maintain the activities you enjoyed during the lockdown. Remember the joys these things brought to you and make time for them so they can continue to bring you joy throughout work.All of the above are great examples of how to ease the transition back into working life so that you can get the most out of your day-to-day. It is important to prioritise your mental health in these challenging times, constant change can be daunting and exhausting for many people, and that is why I recommend seeking a therapist if you are feeling anxious or overwhelmed when it comes to returning to work. Speaking to a professional is a great way to help you implement the above steps whilst keeping track of your emotions. Knowing there is always a support network can be the ultimate comfort needed when everything else in your life seems to be changing. If you are interested in consulting a therapist, please head over to my website to help ease your transition into working life.