Most of us have got used to working from home, and for many it has been good for their mental health. However much we complain about the lack of space, unpredictable Wi-Fi or missing our co-workers’ company, we also enjoy the extra half an hour of sleep we get every morning without the commute.
There seems to be a divide between those rooting for work from home to continue and those longing to get back to their office desks. Whichever side you’re on, returning to the office brings real changes for your mental health.
Why returning to the office can affect mental health
Planning a return during a still-unfolding pandemic is new and uncertain territory for employers and employees alike. Amid all the upheaval of the past year, one thing has become clear: the mental health effects of this crisis are significant, and they won’t disappear when people return to the workplace.
That’s why businesses must prioritise workforce mental health as they prepare to bring employees back to shared workplaces.
Coping with health anxiety about going back to the office
For those who are anxious about their physical health, going back to small office cubicles might feel like torture. If that’s you, remember that your office managers have put rules in place to keep you physically safe, and that everyone around you is as wary of the virus as you are and taking the utmost care.
If the health anxiety gets too much, don’t be afraid to:
- Let your manager know how you’re feeling
- Take a few days off
- Ease into it gradually
- Seek help from a therapist
- Practise meditation and other relaxation techniques
How employers can support employee mental health
Employers who want to strengthen their people’s mental health and wellbeing, and with it their ability to be productive and thrive, have a vital role in ensuring access to care and support during this uncertain time.
The good news is that there are highly effective, evidence-based treatments helping people manage and overcome mental health struggles, even amid COVID-19, along with technology for virtual care, which can be vital for those who continue to work from home. Offering access to these resources, for example through an employee assistance programme (EAP), and communicating regularly about the support available can make all the difference for employees in distress.
Less flexibility, more structure
Another change we foresee is a loss of flexibility once you’re travelling the same route, to the same office, at the same time every morning. Whether you realised it or not, working from home let you choose your location, and to some extent your hours. You could finish an important piece of work at 2am and take an hour off the next day with no one knowing. That probably won’t be possible anymore.
But the structure that going back to the office brings can actually do wonders for your mental health. You may grumble about the morning traffic at first, but you’ll soon see the benefits:
- A clear plan for every morning
- A renewed sense of purpose and of being part of something
- Lower stress from having a fixed schedule
- A clearer line between work and home, so you can leave work stress at the office
The lives we lead today amidst the pandemic are nothing short of a rollercoaster, and getting back into a routine can be a major challenge. Reaching out for help can go a long way in dealing with current stressors and protecting yourself from major shutdowns, not only physically but mentally too. – Mavis Henriques, Senior Psychologist, Trijog: Know Your Mind
Getting support with the transition
If you’re dreading the return to office and your stress levels are rising just imagining it, a Trijog therapist can help you prepare for the change and see its positive side, so you can step back in with confidence. Book a session or call our helpline on 1800 202 7180.
