After months of working from home full-time, extended furloughs or being unemployed, many people throughout the country are returning to the workplace as stay-at-home orders begin to lift.
The new phase may understandably cause anxiety for some. The world we’re in is already different than the one we left in March when everything started to close down. Buildings and elevators have smaller capacity limits, some stores don’t allow customers in without masks and many restaurants and local businesses are having to rebuild their entire operations models.
Researchers say it’s important for those re-entering the workforce to take special mental health measures before returning to work. The same goes for steps that can be taken to ensure that everyone remains physically healthy as well and does their best to prevent a second wave of infections.
In case you had any concerns, here are five tips to help transition safely to a post-COVID-19 work life:
1. Be proactive to alleviate stress
Many people already have experienced a lot of stress during this difficult time, and adjusting to being back in the workplace may add to that anxiety. Using stress-reduction apps, practicing mindfulness and practicing self-care that calms your breathing and nerves are all effective ways to keep a level head.