Let's Talk Anxiety - "Post Pandemic"

As many businesses are re-opening “post-pandemic” (despite the Delta variant), many companies are bringing employees back for in-person work or making plans to do so.

That’s no doubt at least one reason why so many people state that they would rather continue from home rather than go back to the office is anxiety. Also, despite many of our provinces being or are vaccinated, the enthusiasm of returning to an in-person workspace is reluctant. Even before the pandemic, mental health in general has affected many Canadians. It is said that “In any given year, 1 in 5 people in Canada will personally experience a mental health problem or illness. By age 40, about 50% of the population will have or have had a mental illness”.

But despite how widespread anxiety is because we understand so little of what it actually is, we often don’t know how to manage it in our day-to-day lives. Transitions are, of course, big drivers of anxiety. And no matter whether you’re going to continue working as you’ve been for the last year, or be heading back to the office full-time or figuring out some form of hybrid work, this next phase in our lives is already causing anxiety for many.

Despite the level of anxiety that an individual may experience on a day-to-day basis, transitions and change itself is difficult for many on a variety of levels…especially after the waves of Covid. So what do we do? Well, to be honest…the “solution” is different for everyone. I believe that the first step is the awareness of the root of your anxiety. Is it actually the anxiety of returning back to work? Is it perhaps social anxiety? Is it the fact that you have become accustomed and comfortable working from home and do not want to transition back to the office environment? Am I the only one who doesn’t feel right about returning back to the office? There are so many factors relating to this anxiety.

Here’s my advice (coming from a very anxious person myself)…map your anxiety moments. I know this is cliché, but try journaling, blogging or whatever it may be. Start a routine of physical exercise. Heck, start a routine in general if that helps manage your anxiety.

Yes, uncertainty can drive anxiety, and this is a very uncertain moment. Whatever the root of your anxiety is, whether it is around mask regulations, working from home, socializing, etc, concentrate on how to attack it and be proactive about it.

What can I myself do? Should I speak to my employer about this? Should I perhaps talk to my close co-workers for their feedback? Do I even want to let my friends and family know that I am thinking this (aka. Judgement) I know that it’s hard however, try and turn that negative self-talk and anxiety into a proactive and positive situation. Know our triggers and have a. plan in place.

At the end of the day, these are just my thoughts…from one anxious person to another.