How are you finding the new normal? Is your work life effectively the same as it was pre-pandemic or have you experienced some significant adjustments in the last 18 months? Perhaps you prefer remote working but you’re now reluctantly back full-time in the office or maybe there have been some other workplace changes that you’re still adjusting to?

The pandemic has impacted each of us differently but one thing is for sure, we’ve all had to adapt to some level of change. Psychologically, this has been a massive deal so let’s take a moment to acknowledge what we’ve been through.

This summer and autumn, droves of professionals are making the move back to their workplace after months of remote working. Many of my clients have reported feeling anxiety or stress around returning to the office and this has been bubbling up in our community for a while – as we know, people’s general wellbeing, both physical and mental health, has been suffering.

Stress and anxiety felt around the return to work after the coronavirus lockdown has become a common phenomenon, and for good reason. Quite frankly we’ve had a tough time of it during the pandemic, some even having to take voluntarily furlough and adopt a drastically new way of working.

We were in lockdown, and almost lockdown, for so long that we’ve normalised this kind of living, and which is why returning to the office is a big adjustment for some. Change is fundamentally daunting, so heading back to work, and the unknown, is naturally unnerving. The great thing is, Elite Mindset Coaching can help.

Many executives are paying attention to post-pandemic wellbeing for a simple reason. Our mind and body impacts our work performance and if we’re more worried or stressed than usual, we’re likely to feel more troubled about our work routines. This is just what our brains do sometimes. However there are several coaching tools you can adopt to manage wellbeing when it comes to returning to the work place.

The effects of post-lockdown stress and anxiety in the workplace

Although a healthy amount of stress can keep us alert and vigilant, more often than not, workplace angst may also impact your wellbeing, sleep and sometimes self-esteem too. It can also have a knock-on effect in other ways. Some of the effects of post-lockdown stress and anxiety in the work place might include:

• Avoidance or procrastination
• Being unable to focus
• A lack of confidence
• Distracted feelings
• Feeling stressed
• Indecisiveness
• Low mood.

How to plan for your return

How can you deal with this change? With your first few weeks back to work in mind, here are just a few things you can try to help with any concerns you may have around returning to the workplace.

 1. Set watertight boundaries: Reflect on what you need from your new post-lockdown workplace and be open with your team or board about what will make you feel at ease. Try doing things that are in your comfort zone

2. Managing concerns: What’s concerning you about being back at work? Make a list on one side of the page. On the other, make a list of the things that would help you to feel more at ease or better about your concerns. What can you change, what can’t you change, what are the alternatives?

3. Practice mindful moments: When you think about returning to work again, where do you feel it? Nervous, somersaulting tummy? Excited, buzzing head? Start noticing, show some consideration to those feelings, and sit with them if you can. Remember, anxious feelings are natural.

4. Reimagine your experience: Visualise how you’d like your first day, week, month working from the office/workplace to go, include the location and all the detail. Focus on what you can influence - your responses rather than the other person e.g. you feel capable and you are thriving yet you have a feeling of ease. Repeat this before bed every night, just before you drift off.

Elite Mindset Coaching Tools

Here are just a few of the Elite Mindset Coaching tools that can help you navigate post-lockdown’s return to the ‘new normal’.

• Consultancy: I offer bespoke packages based on your situation. Using Elite Mindset Coaching, I’ll then create a programme that will help you reach your goals, which will be a combination of mindset training and body work.

• Mindset Training

• Mindful approaches to explore self
• Exercises to review and audit your life
• Understanding how to shift your mindset
• How to identify the road blocks in your life
• Ways to cultivate positive thoughts and gratitude
• How to find focus through setting a vision and goals
• Guidance on working with negative thinking patterns
• Mindful approaches to release old habits and create new ones
• Education on every day neuroscience and how the mind works

• Body Work

• Education on nutrition and how certain foods can improve stress levels
• Personalised advice on physical exercise that will up your game
• Prescribed yoga exercises to release and ease specific ailments
• How to reduce stress and improve energy through exercise
• Ways to boost clarity of mind through movement.

Post Pandemic: Make the Move Back Fully into the Corporate World

Learn more about how I can support you (and your team) back into the office. I’m here to help you re-integrate your experiences and make the move back fully into the corporate world so that you continue to thrive.

Whether the pandemic has impacted your stress, mental health, relationships and work life, Elite Mindset Coaching can help you to manage change and work with any feelings of re-entry anxiety or uncertainty.

I can help you adjust to a new way of working. Call me today to discuss how I can help you or your team get back on track.