While many people will be excited to return to some form of normality, there will be others that have become accustomed to their new arrangements. For those who have been working from home, you’ve had the opportunity to sleep in longer and wear tracksuit pants all day.
Parents who have had more time with their children as a result of COVID-19 may be apprehensive about not being able to do so moving forward.
Here are some tips for managing back-to-work anxiety:
- Talk to your employer about whether you can work from home part-time. Dr Blashki says an employer may allow you to come back to work gradually, starting, for example, with a half-day, if it suits your role.
- Do a few trial runs and visit the workplace without having to work. Often the anticipation of what's going to happen is worse than being there. The more that you put yourself in the situation you're worried about, the better your body will be.
- Speak up if your workplace is stressful or colleagues are problematic. You need to go through the right processes. With everything else we've been going through at the moment, we don't need people to also be struggling with a difficult workplace.
- Try not to self-medicate. Alcohol or other substances might help you feel relaxed about the prospect of returning to work but it does become its own trap.
If you struggle with anxiety or low mood frequently, speak with your doctor about accessing professional help. They will be able to direct you towards the right treatment. Reach out to family and friends or you can contact:
beyondblue: 1300 22 4636, 24 hours / 7 days a week.
lifeline: Call 13 11 14 24/7 Crisis Support
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