5 tips to Help Manage Your Return-to-Office Stress

Dr. Matthew Husa, Chief Medical Officer, UnitedHealthcare of Colorado

As pandemic restrictions ease, your time working from dwelling could also be coming to an finish — and which will have you ever feeling confused.

Remember, it’s regular to have some fear a couple of change in your routine — and also you is probably not the one one at your organization who’s feeling it. In a survey by the American Psychological Association, roughly half of adults reported being uneasy about returning to in-person interactions.

A significant life change — like the place you’re employed — could also be one in all your stress triggers. The necessary factor is to acknowledge the anxiousness and give you wholesome methods to assist handle it.

Here are 5 tips which will assist with lowering stress in your transition again to the office:

1. Manage your time – When the pandemic started, your day-to-day schedule could have shifted. Before issues shift again, take into consideration making an inventory of all you’ll must do to be prepared for every day. An in depth schedule could provide help to really feel much less overwhelmed.
2. Focus on life-style selections – Is the way you lived through the pandemic enjoying a job within the stress you’re feeling? Things like prioritizing sleep, maintaining a healthy diet meals, consuming loads of water, and limiting alcohol could all assist with managing your anxiousness round a return to the office.
3. Get transferring – Exercise and the feel-good endorphins it creates may be an important part of stress discount and total well being. Consider including common exercises to your schedule. Also, search for simple methods so as to add motion to your day, corresponding to standing for cellphone calls or utilizing the steps as an alternative of the elevators.
4. Try meditation – Focused meditation and deep breathing could assist ease your bouts with stress and might have lasting health benefits. Think about taking time within the morning or scheduling breaks through the day to apply meditation and different mindfulness strategies.
5. Consider an app – You could have entry to digital well being instruments that may be helpful for managing fear or stress. For instance, eligible UnitedHealthcare members can obtain the Sanvello app for on-demand assist with psychological well being points. The app contains each day temper monitoring, a wide range of coping instruments, weekly check-ins to trace customized progress, and peer group help.

One thing more: If you’re confused about going again to the workplace because of the threat of contracting COVID-19, take into account, that there are issues you are able to do to help protect your self and others. Consider speaking along with your supervisor about your considerations and a few attainable options, together with staggering your work hours to keep away from high-traffic entry and exit factors or rising area between your workspace and others.