Alberta is officially open for summer, and other provinces aren't far behind! This means many of us are returning to the office for the first time in over a year, which can be pretty daunting. We at Armour Insurance are ready to help you get back in the game. Here are our tips for jumping back into office life, landing on your feet, and hitting your stride!
Visualize a Positive Day
How we start our morning impacts the rest of our day, even more than we realize! Set yourself up for success with your morning routine. Wake up earlier (it'll get easier eventually, we promise). And if you have time, have a quick morning walk, workout, yoga session, etc. Endorphins are key. Choose an activity that gets your body moving and keeps you away from your phone, and spend this time visualizing the type of day you want to have. It's beneficial to give ourselves time to check in and get centered, even on weekday mornings.
Don't spend your morning stressing about the day ahead. Rather, take a positive, yet realistic look at your upcoming day and ask yourself:
- How am I feeling?
- What would I like to accomplish today?
- How can I make that happen?
Recreate Structure
Organization is truly what makes the world go round! Okay... maybe that's a bit of an overstep, but it is a key element for a productive day. Create a schedule–it’s okay if you don't stick to it 100%! But scheduling your day will help keep you on track. Routines help ease us into new situations, and make things we may not want to do much easier to accomplish. When you're used to something, powering through it can be smooth and easy!
Structure your day in a way that makes sense to you and keeps you productive. This looks different for everyone, and sometimes it takes a bit of time to discover your perfect routine.
Set Boundaries
We aren't superheroes, and when it comes down to it, we can't always do everything. Be realistic and kind to yourself about what you're able to take on. It's usually better to do one thing well, than to do three things poorly. If you're already taking on a lot at the moment, it's okay to state that in a respectful way.
If you're feeling overwhelmed for an extended period, chat with your HR department or someone you feel comfortable talking to. Your workplace should want you to thrive and do your best–which also means feeling well.
Consider Your Route
Wow, morning routines take some time! We almost forgot the morning commute on top of that! Include the time needed to drive to work in your schedule, and leave time to spare. Sure, the morning road rage can wake you up, but it can also leave you feeling stressed when starting your day. It's useful to arrive with a few minutes to spare, so you can get organized, grab a coffee, and see how your coworkers are doing.
Are you properly covered to start driving to and from work again? Will you need to add commute coverage back onto your vehicle policy? To find out, you can chat with one of our brokers at 1-888-935-7419 today!
Give Yourself Time to Adjust
You probably won't feel settled into your work routine overnight, or even after the first week. It can take a little longer, so be kind to yourself during your transition. We've all had to deal with enough stress during the pandemic. So try to offer a bit of patience to yourself, as well as your coworkers. We're all getting back into the swing of things, and it's always easier if we help one another!
For more information on adjusting back to office life, check out these resources:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers considerations for returning to work while COVID-19 is still prevalent.
- The Edmonton Chamber of Voluntary Organizations (ECVO) offers guides and resources for organizations reopening their offices.
- My Health Alberta offers suggestions for returning to work or school after COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted.
