{"id":3336,"date":"2021-06-07T10:30:45","date_gmt":"2021-06-07T14:30:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/wellness\/?page_id=3336"},"modified":"2021-06-07T10:48:31","modified_gmt":"2021-06-07T14:48:31","slug":"first-steps-to-facing-your-return-to-work-anxiety","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/wellness\/first-steps-to-facing-your-return-to-work-anxiety\/","title":{"rendered":"First Steps to Facing Your Return to Work Anxiety"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>With the phased return to work right around the corner, you are not alone if you\u2019re feeling anxious and stressed.\u00a0 The change in routine and social interactions, as well as the fear of the unknown, are all major contributors to this feeling of anxiety. It can affect both those of us returning to work for the first time since last March, as well as those who remained working on campus and have adjusted to a less densely populated campus.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s important to stress that you are not alone and there are resources across campus to support you through this transition.\u00a0 We encourage you to take some time to review the tips below, refer to the various resources, and reach out for help if needed.<\/p>\n<h3>Tips for Facing Your Return to Work Anxiety<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Acknowledge your Feelings<\/strong>.\u00a0 With the unavoidable change and uncertainly associated with the return to work, it\u2019s important to expect some level of anxiety and not be surprised by it.\u00a0 Anxiety is normal when faced with these types of changes, and it\u2019s not an indication that something is bad or unsafe for you.\u00a0 \u00a0Keep in mind that it will dissipate in time and there are resources to help you work through it.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Plan Ahead.<\/strong>\u00a0 While you can\u2019t anticipate how everything will go when you return, there are many things within your control, and simple planning ahead can help regain a sense of control.\u00a0 Is there a pre-pandemic routine that you envision changing, and if so, how will you plan ahead to adapt to this new routine? This could be a shift from eating lunch out most days to instead meal prepping each weekend so you have something to bring with you for lunch each day.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Focus on the Positive<\/strong>. \u00a0While we\u2019re hard-wired as humans to pay more attention to the negative, it\u2019s important to take a step back and remember what we miss about working on campus. \u00a0\u00a0Was it a quick lunchtime walk along the Charles, or maybe catching up with colleagues each morning?\u00a0 Remembering what previously brought you joy each day can help make the transition easier.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Be Considerate and Aware of Others.\u00a0 <\/strong>One thing we\u2019ve learned from the pandemic is that everyone\u2019s comfort and safety level is different, and the transition will affect us all in very different ways.\u00a0 Furthermore, <span><span>please be sensitive and aware of the unique stress of\u00a0employees with marginalized identities.\u00a0Many people\u00a0with marginalized identities\u00a0have enjoyed\u00a0less of a need to\u00a0conform to majority culture\u00a0appearance\u00a0standards\u00a0and greater protection from the trauma of\u00a0microaggressions. Returning to in-person work\u00a0for many brings increased\u00a0anxiety and\u00a0exposure to microaggressions.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong>Reach out for Help.<\/strong>\u00a0 Despite best efforts, you might still need help, and that\u2019s ok.\u00a0 There are resources available on campus to help you through this transition.\u00a0 We encourage you to keep an honest and open line of communication with your manager, as well as to reach out to the Faculty Staff Assistance Office for free and confidential counseling.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Additional Resources and Events<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/how-to-adapt-to-post-pandemic-reality-with-social-anxiety-5180281\">Adapting to Post-Pandemic Reality When You Have Social Anxiety<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/health-news\/after-a-year-of-isolation-social-interaction-may-cause-anxiety#Some-may-be-feeling-more-socially-anxious-than-others\">After a Year of Isolation, Social Interaction May Cause Anxiety<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.helpguide.org\/articles\/anxiety\/dealing-with-uncertainty.htm\">Anxiety: Dealing with Uncertainty<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.universityofcalifornia.edu\/news\/anxious-about-returning-work-psychologists-offer-insight-and-tips\">Anxious about returning to work? Psychologists offer insight and tips<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fastcompany.com\/90631989\/how-to-deal-with-anxiety-about-returning-to-normal\">How to deal with anxiety about returning to \u201cnormal\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bostonglobe.com\/2021\/05\/29\/opinion\/vaxxed-not-relaxed\/\">Vaxxed But Not Relaxed<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>FSAO Lunch Break:\u00a0 Support and Strategies for Adapting to a New Normal<\/strong><br \/>\nWednesday, June 9, 16, 23 and 30<br \/>\n12:10 to 12:50 pm<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/wellness\/resources-2\/online-wellness-resources-via-zoom\/\">Learn more and Register<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>FSAO Workshop: Bouncing Back from Remote Work<\/strong><br \/>\nMonday, June 14<br \/>\n12:10 to 12:50 pm<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/wellness\/resources-2\/online-wellness-resources-via-zoom\/\">Learn more and Register<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Mental Health Awareness at Work: For Managers<br \/>\n<\/strong>Thursday, June 24<br \/>\n12:10 to 1:25 pm<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/wellness\/resources-2\/online-wellness-resources-via-zoom\/\">Learn more and Register<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Mental Health Awareness at Work: For All<br \/>\n<\/strong>Tuesday, June 29<br \/>\n12:10 to 1:25 pm<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/wellness\/resources-2\/online-wellness-resources-via-zoom\/\">Learn more and Register<\/a><\/p>\n<h5>FSAO Personal Wellness Visits<\/h5>\n<p>In addition to their usual counseling, consultation and referral services, FSAO\u2019s licensed behavioral health providers are now offering Personal Wellness Visits.\u00a0 These are 20-30 minute check-ins with an FSAO counselor to pause and consider how you are being impacted by stress and whether there are additional steps you might take to enhance your resilience.\u00a0 Sign up <a href=\"http:\/\/www.bu.edu\/fsao\/contact\/\">here for a Personal Wellness Visit<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h5>\u00a0<strong><\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>With the phased return to work right around the corner, you are not alone if you\u2019re feeling anxious and stressed.\u00a0 The change in routine and social interactions, as well as the fear of the unknown, are all major contributors to this feeling of anxiety. It can affect both those of us returning to work for [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1379,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":23,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/wellness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3336"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/wellness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/wellness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/wellness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1379"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/wellness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3336"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/wellness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3336\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3348,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/wellness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3336\/revisions\/3348"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/wellness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3336"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}