Returning to the Office

With the slow return to the office, many of us face the challenge of an altered environment. We are not only attached to people and pets, we’re also attached to places. Place attachment is described as 'the emotional bond between person and place and is a main concept in environmental psychology'. This could be your local café, a park, a city. But for most of us, it’s the comfort of our own home.

Many of us have had to adjust to a new routine and for some of us, leading up to our first day back in the office, we can experience some nervousness. Whether that’s waking up a bit earlier for your commute, travelling on your crowded afternoon bus route, sharing the elevator with strangers or just going back to regular office chit chat.

What makes these situations so powerful is a shared experience that everyone can relate to, you’re not alone.

Dr Renju Joseph has put together some pointers on how to manage ‘return to work anxiety’.

1. Be kind to yourself
2. Speak with your employer
3. Maintain a good daily routine
4. Learn positive coping tactics
5. Seek professional help