Dear Office-Bound Ben,

There is nothing wrong with having mixed feelings about returning to the office. There are a lot of factors to consider, and we’ve been working from home long enough for it to become a pretty normal part of life. 

Having some anxiety about entering back into “the normal world” and leaving your safe bubble is completely normal. I think most people experience this on some level.

Here are some of my top tips to get you through this transition.

Make Your Desk Somewhere You Want to Hangout

Your desk should become your new safe space while at the office, and to celebrate that, I recommend cleaning it up. This means literally cleaning it – please, clean it – but, it also means styling it to your taste. 

Get a plant, frame some pictures that make you smile, and maybe even get yourself a standing desk or new ergonomic chair. Make this space an area that is a refuge. It’s your space, you have control over it, so make it whatever you’d like it to be. 

Dress for Success

Alright, so you probably won’t be able to wear sweatpants in the office, but that doesn’t mean you have to feel uncomfortable either. 

Treat yourself to a little shopping spree. Go and find some new clothes that make you feel like you are ready to take on the world. Best of all, be critical of how comfy they are. Now that we know we can work in comfortable clothes, don’t settle for starchy, scratchy ones. 

I recommend looking for stretchy fabrics, like nylon or polyester. Ladies, they do make dress yoga pants, and they’re as awesome as they sound. And here’s my final piece of fashion advice- look for shirts made of bamboo. They truly feel like wearing a pillow.

Schedules. Get on One!

If you let your normal schedule slide during the pandemic, you’re not alone. But, the transition back to office life will be much easier if you get yourself back to the basics. 

Establish a sleep cycle and stick to it. That means getting up when your alarm goes off, even if you didn’t sleep well. Your body will start to adjust to your new bedtime and wake up time. The good news is that it takes less than a week of dedicated practice for your body to catch up. 

Eat breakfast, do a workout, and shower in the mornings. Creating a regular habit of pre-pandemic activities will really get your mind back in the groove to leave the house. 

Safety First

The reality is that COVID is still a part of our lives, and it’s completely normal to feel reservations about going back to work when you feel your health is at risk. 

I recommend talking to your manager, sharing your concerns, and establishing some ground rules. 

One of my favorites is to make your desk a “bubble.” Request that people stay 6 feet away from your desk instead of coming right up to you to talk. If they need to get closer, ask them to put a mask on (and wear one yourself). 

When you’re moving about the office, wear a mask, and be sure to wash your hands often.

See if your work is requiring vaccine records for employees back in the office. If not, share your concerns with the HR team – politely. They may have legal reasons behind their decision, but they may also take your concern into consideration. 

Deep Breathes (of fresh air)

If you feel like you’re starting to feel anxiety, take a second to go outside. You’ve got this, but it is a heck of a transition and a pretty scary one at that. 

Talk to your managers if you give it a try and really feel like it’s impacting your work or mental health. Almost all companies will value your safety over your presence in the office. 

You’ve got this. 

Sincerely,
Jenny