Over a year ago most of us vacated our offices and began working from home. We had to figure out how to balance home life with work life, adjust to social and physical isolation, and deal with the stress and anxieties of the unknown emerging pandemic. Now that we are beginning to increase social interactions and return back to the workplace, those same struggles have returned. We have new stress and anxieties around workplace reintegration, reintroducing social activities back into our lives, and wondering how to rebalance home life with work life amidst the changes. The good news is we are not alone. As the whole world begins to open up, so do the resources!  Below are some tips, articles, and resources we hope will help ease this new period of transition for you, your family and even your pets!

Stress and Anxiety around Workplace Reintegration

Psychologist Susan Albers, PsyD, has some helpful tips for making the transition back to work during the pandemic less stressful, in this article from the Cleveland Clinic. Below are some tips that Dr. Albers recommends to help ease workplace reintegration stress.

  • Tidy Up – Sprucing up your workspace can help bring the comforts of home and make the transition easier. Bring in new pictures or artwork, a plant, and take some time to reorganize or clean, especially if your desk has sat vacant for over a year.
  • Give Your Wardrobe A Makeover – Returning to campus also means a return to work attire. A new outfit, or even just a refresh to your old outfits can help you feel more confident and professional. And look for ways to still be comfy while meeting our Work Attire guidelines.
  • Establish a Good Sleep Schedule – Not having a commute may have made it easier to sleep in during the pandemic, but getting back to a normal work and home schedule may be a little rough. Plan on starting a new bedtime/wake up routine and start a few weeks before your return date.
  • Stock up on Self Care/Stress Relief Items – Have a favorite snack? Stress ball? Hand lotion? Tea or Coffee mug? Bring them to work with you! Stocking your workspace with items that can help relieve stress can help ease the transition.
  • Know your Support Resources – Everyone handles stress differently and the transition from home back to campus may be harder on some than others. Watch this short video on coping with reintegration from our EAP Partners at Cascade Centers, download the “Refocusing at Work” guide, and then check out the info on our EAP from a previous post!

 

Supporting your Kids with return anxiety

Transitions can always be hard on kids, especially after they have readjusted to life during COVID. Returning to school if they have been online, or just adjusting to parents who may not be home so much could cause stress or anxiety in even the littlest ones. Check out the great articles and resources below and view this past Commit to Health post on Helping Children Cope with Stress.

 

Preparing our Pets: What returning to campus might mean for those left at home

More time at home has meant more snuggles and support from our favorite four-legged coworkers. And pet adoptions have doubled during the last year, as more families used the times of isolation to bond with new furry family members.  As we prepare ourselves for a return to the workplace and socialization, we don’t want to forget the importance of preparing our pets for our return as well!  Below are a few tips and articles that provide helpful advice from vets and pet experts!

  • Create a routine – Set a fixed time for different activities, including play, exercise, walking, and meals. Ensure that the routine you set is the same one you will follow once you go back to work, so your pet knows what to expect.
  • Leave your pet alone – start by leaving them alone a few hours a time. Make sure to give lots of snuggles and praise on returning, and reward good behavior. If you used to crate during the day, begin introducing the crate training while you are home. More tips on crate training can be found in this article from the AKC.
  • Introduce interactive toys/puzzles – giving your pets something to do to keep their minds busy (especially dogs) can help ease separation anxiety or help with boredom during the day. For dogs, this article gives some examples of puzzle and treat toys to try. Cats can also benefit from puzzles, and Rover.com has some great tips and examples for your clever kitty!
  • Seek support from your vet – some animals, especially ones who had separation anxiety or anxious tendencies pre-COVID may have a hard time adjusting back despite your efforts to prepare them. If you notice more aggressive, anxious, or defiant behavior, consult with your vet.

For more details and advice on preparing your pets, read these articles from Petmate.com and the AKC. And view Cascade Centers-Support for Pet Parents.