5 Ways to Fight Off “Return to Work” Anxiety
Posted September 18th, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally altered how people live and work. Now, as workplaces reopen, many professionals have concerns about heading back. After all, the health threat isn’t over, and going back to work means crossing paths with more people on a daily basis.
Some degree of return-to-work anxiety is normal, though you do want to make sure it doesn’t interfere with your day. If you want to keep negative feelings at bay, here are five tips that can help.
1. Acknowledge Your Anxiety
Recognizing that what you are feeling is anxiety can make a difference. It allows you to intellectually explain various sensations and thoughts, giving you the power to alter the narrative and ease any resulting symptoms.
For example, if you notice tension building in your muscles, you may focus on actively relaxing. If your breathing rate changed, you might practice deep breathing exercises.
The idea is to identify if what you’re experiencing is anxiety. That way, you can make a conscious effort to keep it under control.
2. Avoid an All or Nothing Mindset
Many people experience anxiety because they end up fixated on the worst-case scenario. When it comes to returning to work, this may involve interacting with a person on the job who has the virus, causing you to get sick, end up hospitalized, or potentially die.
While there are risks associated with heading out, the all or nothing mindset doesn’t account for smart actions you or your employer may take. This could include the benefits of you wearing your mask and maintaining proper hygiene, as well as heading to a workplace that supports social distancing and adopts an enhanced cleaning schedule.
3. Be Intentional About News
Being inundated with bad news about COVID-19 can spike anxiety. While you don’t want to stay reasonably informed, make sure that you aren’t being overrun with information at all hours of the day.
For example, don’t read the news while you’re at the office, limiting yourself to just 30 minutes when you’re home during the evening. Bypass social media scrolling as entertainment, and instead rely on sources that don’t involve news headlines or random coronavirus commentary from others.
4. Disengage from Conversations
If family members or coworkers try to talk about the latest COVID-19 happenings during the day, disengage. Let them know that constant conversation on the topic makes you anxious, so you try to limit these discussions to specific times or particular circumstances. Then, you can tell them that you’ll reach out when you’re ready to talk.
5. Practice Self-Care
Spending time doing things you enjoy can keep your anxiety at bay. Consider how you can integrate self-care into your daily schedule. For example, you may decide to stream your favorite sitcom during your lunch, meditate in your car during your break, and take a relaxing bath when you return home.
Call Bayside Solutions Today
Ultimately, some return to work anxiety is normal and, by following the tips above, you can make sure it stays under control. If you’d like to find out more, the staff at Bayside Solutions can help. Contact us today.
