How to Overcome Post-Covid Anxiety At Work

In the past six months, many people are returning to the office, but after almost a year of working from home, some people struggle to face this change. In addition, even though vaccine rates are up, the Delta variant is causing uncertainty. So it’s no surprise that people are experiencing anxiety as they return to the office.

Anxiety is our body’s direct response to fear or perceived threats. With so much uncertainty regarding the virus’s path, it’s not surprising that many people fear the future. If you are having a hard time returning to the office, here are some tips on overcoming post-covid anxiety at work.

Know That You’re Not Alone

According to Psycom, just as many Americans are experiencing high-stress levels in 2021 as they did in 2020. The last year and a half have been incredibly isolating since we’ve all had to stay away from family and friends, no social events, and so much more. This has created a fear of the future in many, and it’s normal to feel that way during these times.

The spread of the virus because of the Delta variant; the uncertainty of vaccination status; not to mention the job security. The economy has not fully covered since the first shutdown. Questions like, “What if it happens again? What if businesses are forced to close their doors again? What will happen to my job?” are running rampant in everyone’s minds.

When going back to the office, the first thing you should remember is knowing that you’re not alone in your anxiety. While not everyone will voice their concerns over being back in the office, most people have some problems with it.

In the UK, according to one study, nearly two-fifths of workers are anxious about returning to work after the pandemic. This is either out of fear of their own safety or keeping others close to them safe.

Vaccinated But Want To Wear A Mask Still? Go For It.

Even if you are vaccinated, you should still do what you think is best. For example, if your place of employment does not require facial coverings, but it makes you comfortable, then wear one anyways. You can help ease your post-covid anxiety by doing what makes you feel the most comfortable. There is nothing wrong with doing what is best for you.

A great tip from Mental-Health-UK’s website is to talk to your manager about your concerns. If you are nervous about bringing up your concerns, you can write down your questions and some ideas that may help you adjust. If it’s a hybrid approach of working from home and the office until you feel comfortable, all you can do is ask.

Not Ready to Socialize in the Break-Room? That’s Fine, Too!

Before the pandemic, one of your favorite parts of the day was likely the conversations you had with co-workers while on break. However, you may not want to even go near the break room for fear of being around people. Part of the anxiety you are feeling is because you’ve gone from nearly total isolation to being thrown into physical, social situations again. According to UK based Bupa Health Clinics, 42% of workers are most nervous about being able to properly social distance at work.

Instead of rushing right into the break room, try going for more minor visits to cubicles or offices with only a few people. This will allow you to not only adjust to being back in public at a pace you feel comfortable at but will ease you back into the socialization part of working.

Your coworkers will understand that you’re not quite ready to jump back into the office gatherings right away and may appreciate that you are being respectful to their fears, as well.

Establish a Schedule

Let’s face it, working from home the past year was not the best for routines. We all fell out of good habits when our commute times were reduced to zero minutes. And while it was nice not having to rush before work, during, and after, the reality is now setting back in.

To ease the anxiety over returning to an office setting, you can help yourself by establishing a schedule. Sleep is critically important to relieving anxiety, no matter the cause. So choose a set time to begin winding down for bed. You should aim to have at least 6-8 hours of sleep a night, so set the alarm for a minimum of eight hours ahead of time. This will give you a buffer period to unwind and fall asleep.

If you are too stressed to fall asleep, look up meditation music or sleep playlists on your favorite app, Spotify or YouTube. You can also download apps such as Calm or Headspace to help you get in the right headset for the workweek.

Remember, this has been a rough year for all of us. Give yourself grace and know that as time passes and you start off slowly, you can overcome post-covid anxiety while returning to work. If you are struggling with anxiety, reach out to me to learn how to control your pressure.