Post-Pandemic

There has been so much divisiveness with regard to Covid-19 but there is a sense that we are returning to some level of familiar territory with live gigs and holidays and workplaces reopening. We know Covid-19 caused disruption in our lives but overall, we adapted well to working from home. We adapted so well that we now need to adapt to returning to work in our bricks-and-mortar offices!

I chatted with several people during the pandemic and their experiences greatly differed. Some loved being at home as it afforded them an opportunity to be with their children, get creative and learn how to bake banana bread and make pasta! Others found that being at home was stressful and anxiety-causing and they missed the routine of travelling to and being at work, and in the company of colleagues.

Creating a new routine that works for you is key to a smooth transition from meeting people online to in-person, face-to-face meetings. Now that we are returning to work or maybe to a hybrid work model, allowing yourself time to decompress after every workday might be a consideration.

I’m a big fan of taking time away from my work desk. I often walk out the front door of the clinic, walk around the block and come back again or simply walk to the car because it is a mini break away from the office. I get some fresh air and it’s physical movement rather than sitting still all day.

Breaks are beneficial as is being strict with work start and finish times. Your daily routine will change when you return to work. It is worthwhile spending a little time to consider how you can make that new post-pandemic routine work well for you.

Up until now, household chores like putting on a wash or hanging out the laundry could be done while working from home, in between meetings or phone calls. Maybe consider allocating different chores to different days to help keep on top of tasks while you spend more time out of the home. Dividing tasks among days might seem too organised or controlled but it might help keep your evenings free to do things you want to do rather than contributing to the feeling that household chores are never-ending.

In your post-pandemic diary, keep time free from meetings (so you can take a breather). People mention having back-to-back meetings throughout the working week but if there is any opportunity for you to keep some time- just for you – then go for it! It might mean starting work a little earlier but leave work on time whenever possible.

On the subject of starting work earlier, taking half an hour extra in the morning to gather your thoughts might be a good start to the day – it might mean you get up before others but the result is a relaxed start to the working day.

Make a plan of action to get good quality, sufficient sleep which might mean getting into or out of bed a little earlier – if this is within your control, decide what needs to happen and make those changes. You will be thankful that you’ve taken charge of those areas of your life that need attention.

Readjusting well to life in the office post-pandemic requires you to organise, plan and set new boundaries. You might even have to ask for help with some household tasks which, before now, you could manage because you were at home.

Knowing when to say ‘no’ and not overstretch yourself is helpful. Be prepared that you will feel tried with any change to your work routine, because returning to work is a change (and a bit of a shock) to the system.

At the start of the pandemic we were feeling fatigued from being online all the time. We were not used to it. Working online and meeting people virtually became our way of being. Now things have changed, meeting people in person and having face-to-face appointments may feel unusual. Be gentle with yourself. Have a helpful routine that suits you will help you return to work with a spring in your step and keep that spring in your step!

With a little careful consideration, you can create the best post-pandemic routine for you.

www.carolinecrotty.ie

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