Anxious About Returning to Work Post-COVID-19? So is the Rest of the World.

Everyone can remember starting Kindergarten and those first day of school jitters.

What will I wear? Who will I sit by? How do I make friends? Will I be able to sit still at my desk all day?

While these worries may sound like they are from the mind of a young child prepping for the first day of school, the reality of a post-COVID world is that many adults are faced with the same anxieties as they return to in-person work. In a study recently conducted by Limeade, in a sample of 1628 workers from various countries, 0% reported having no concerns at all about returning to work in person. Other stressors employees were having had to do with fear of contracting the COVID-19 virus, having less flexibility, commuting to work, wearing a mask, and finding childcare.

Remember that we have just endured an extremely difficult year both physically and mentally – anxiety associated with returning to your old way of life is completely normal.

Any sort of transition in life is hard. As hard as it was to leave our in-person jobs and normal busy schedules, so too it will be to leave the safety of home and return to a full planner and little down time. It can be helpful to try as much as you can to make the transition back to work more structured. Going through your wardrobe to plan outfits for the week, meal prep lunches, or getting a new planner or desk organizer can help you feel in control of your new situation.

The most common stressor for adults returning to in-person work is the lingering uncertainty of the COVID-19 virus. While many adults are now vaccinated, there is still the fear of breakthrough cases or those who are unvaccinated still spreading the virus. In addition, there are stressors associated with wearing a mask for long periods of time. Without knowing vaccine status of coworkers or if they are following proper guidelines, paranoia and trust issues that affect socialization can also become major sources of stress for those more concerned about their health.

The most common stressor for adults returning to in-person work is the lingering uncertainty of the COVID-19 virus. While many adults are now vaccinated, there is still the fear of breakthrough cases or those who are unvaccinated still spreading the virus. In addition, there are stressors associated with wearing a mask for long periods of time. Without knowing vaccine status of coworkers or if they are following proper guidelines, paranoia and trust issues that affect socialization can also become major sources of stress for those more concerned about their health.

While coworkers can be a source of stress upon returning to work, they can also be a welcome gift to those who have missed social interactions for the past year and a half. For some, jumping in to happy hours and catching up at lunch may give peace and comfort through camaraderie; others may need time to ease into socialization again. Be sure to be aware of your own needs and comfort level with other people before you begin back at work in-person. Set boundaries on how much you plan to socialize or allow yourself to get out and spend time with coworkers and friends in small amounts until you feel more comfortable.

Even though we may be returning to work in person and starting to see friends and family more freely, it is clear that we are not returning to “normalcy.” The COVID-19 pandemic is not yet behind us, but even still, the world we are returning to has been changed dramatically. The way we conduct and value work and business, the social and moral values we uphold, the way we view cleanliness, and even the way we spend time with one another have all been affected.

Perhaps as you return to work, think of it as your first day of school again. Be open to learning and adapting with change and try not to dwell on things out of your control. The more you focus on being aware of your anxieties and how to approach them combat them, the better off you will be.