The pandemic has affected mental and emotional well-being in innumerable ways. Whether it’s work or personal life, it has disrupted daily routines like never before. A steady rise in mental health problems, like anxiety disorders, depression, sleep problems, behavioural problems, interpersonal issues and alcohol misuse has been encountered over the past two years. Here are 6 expert-backed ways to get back to the grind.
Readjustment to your pre-COVID routine can be daunting
Image Credit: Piku, MSN Motion Pictures
A majority of people have been working from home during the pandemic and going back to work has been an overwhelming experience. Some level of anxiety and nervousness as a result of returning to work is expected and considered a normal response. With a certain degree of readjustment in the office, experiencing a professional environment after such a long time may become daunting. We got in touch with Dr Santosh Bangar, Senior Consultant Psychiatrist, Global Hospital, Mumbai to guide on how to get back our sense of time that we lost over the past two years.
Ways to get back into your routine
In such challenging circumstances, getting back to pre-COVID routines can actually have a therapeutic effect. For example, going back to work can bring much-needed social interaction. Office routines can become joyful due to such interactions. Dr Bangar shared some of the key self-help measures to cope better.
Image Credit: Piku, MSN Motion Pictures
1. Gradual and step-wise reintegration to work by taking one day at a time will help with mental transition.
Image Credit: iStock
2. Try to work in a hybrid model — remotely and by being physically present — which should give flexibility and time for mental readjustment. This should, of course, be as per individual HR guidelines.
Image Credit: iStock
3. Maintain a structure for everyday by following a routine pattern. Carry out activities on time and follow a schedule. This includes sleeping at the same time to maintain a circadian rhythm, an inner process that controls sleep. Clock your wake cycle every 24 hours.
4. Taking regular breaks from your work desk can break the monotony and act as a distraction, it also relaxes the eyes.
Image Credit: iStock
5. Try to maintain a positive outlook to stress with positive coping strategies and avoid catastrophization. It is important to accept that situations are temporary and will improve.
6. Use the work-desk area only for work during office hours. Avoid using the bedroom for office meetings, which can disrupt your sleep cycle.
Lastly, don’t blame yourself or feel guilty about losing your sense of time, it’s not just you, we all are in the same boat.
Lead Image Credit: Piku, MSN Motion Pictures
