How to Look After Your Mental Health When Returning to the Workplace

Having spent months on end worrying whether life was going to get back to normal again, millions of workers around the globe are currently finding themselves being asked to return to the workplace now that the pandemic is seemingly at an end.

However, while some employees may jump at this opportunity, other members of staff could feel fairly nervous and uncertain about the prospect of going back into work, worrying about how their mental health is going to fare being around so many people and in such a pressured environment again.

Work-related conditions like anxiety, depression and burnout are all becoming more and more frequently seen, and there is an ongoing debate as to how to combat the continual rise of mental health disorders in the workplace.

With this in mind, we thought we would compile a brief guide on how you, as an employee, can look after yourself when returning to your place of work – whether that be in an office, a factory, hospital, retail environment or somewhere else entirely.

Make arrangements for your children and pets

One of the biggest areas of stress brought on through returning to the workplace comes from worrying about your children and your pets.

Having spent so long with you throughout the various restrictions and working from home more, your pets – for example – could have developed separation anxiety; a condition in which a pet exhibits distress and behavioural problems when separated from its handler.

This, in turn, could lead you to worry about their welfare while you’re out at work, distracting you from getting your work done and potentially affecting your mood, self-esteem and level of productivity.

Therefore, to ease your concerns before you head back to the workplace, make some arrangements to have your pets and children looked after. Whether it be through the help of a friend, family member or professional house sitter, giving yourself the peace of mind that they’re well looked after will make you feel a lot better.

Have regular catch-ups with your manager

It’s OK to not be OK, and your manager should understand that better than most.

As such, it’s important to be able to communicate with them about how you are feeling. If, for instance, you are struggling to concentrate in the office and would rather work from home on a more regular basis, try to work out a compromise with your manager that suits you both.

Similarly, if you are feeling burnt out doing your work as a result of the pandemic, let your manager know so that they can do something about it.

Whether it be providing you with a little bit of extra time off or putting you in contact with a professional, the more you speak up about the problems you’re facing, the more at ease you’ll start to feel as a result.

Talk openly with your colleagues

While you may have gotten used to working by yourself throughout the pandemic, now that you are back surrounded by your colleagues again, why not talk openly with them?

We have all been through it, after all, so only by supporting each other will we all collectively be able to feel that life is back to normal again.

From arranging a catch-up drink or two after work to simply sharing your lunch with them, communicating with your fellow colleagues could provide you with a fantastic outlet for your stress, enabling you to enjoy being back in the workplace again.

Keep exercising and living healthily

Exercising on a regular basis and living healthily are two sure-fire ways to not only improve your self-esteem but also keep a wide variety of mental health conditions at bay.

Whether it be through getting a good quality of sleep each night, consuming a healthy diet or taking the time to go on walks or play sports after work, there are a number of effective ways to maintain a healthy lifestyle that can have positive knock-on effects on the rest of your life and your wellbeing.

What’s more, thanks to the release of endorphins through exercise, this effect can significantly increase both your energy and productivity levels, helping combat any feelings of stress or fatigue you’re currently having, while also providing you with a heightened immune response against potential illnesses.

Embrace a healthier return to work

While the return to the workplace may fill you with dread, by following the hints and tips listed above, you can help ensure the process goes a lot more smoothly – for both you and your employer.

The key things to remember are to keep confident, communicate effectively and stay healthy. That way, you will give yourself the best possible chance of keeping any feelings of stress, anxiety, burnout or depression at bay over a much longer period of time.

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