For many non-essential workers returning to in-person settings, work spaces and routines may look different. This transition can be stressful and present challenges that impact our mental well-being.
Here are some strategies to support your mental health as you return to work.
· Returning to work and adjusting to a new routine can be stressful. Try to identify
your range of thoughts and emotions, and accept them as normal. It is okay to
feel frustrated, sad or angry over having to adjust to change.
· Focus on the present – try to take things one day at a time, one week at a time,
one month at a time.
· Try to stay hopeful and optimistic. Remember past experiences where you managed to cope despite feeling anxious or helpless. Think about times when you turned a difficult situation into a success, or realized that the outcome was not as bad as you feared it would be. Try to catch any upsetting thoughts before they “run away with you,” and check them against your actual current reality.
This information sheet is not intended to be a resource for people who require
screening for COVID-19 or who are experiencing a mental health crisis. If you
are experiencing a mental health crisis, please call 911 immediately or go to
your nearest emergency department. For more information, visit www.camh.ca/covid19
Strategies to maintain your mental wellness
· Seek support and stay connected with others. Having someone to listen to us,
and share our pain or worries, helps us feel less alone and helps build our
resilience.
· Create a healthy lifestyle and engage in self care. Eat balanced meals, exercise if you are able, follow good sleep habits, and set aside time for yourself to relax and recharge.
· Be flexible. With any new situation, you might have to change your expectations and goals.
· Be kind to yourself. It is easy to judge ourselves when we associate our activities,
such as work, with our identity. Acknowledge your actions and accomplishments, even
when you don’t get the outcome you wanted
We usually do not have full control over outcomes. Identify the positives in your life,
and express gratitude daily.
Prioritize your responsibilities, identify your personal and work demands,and delegate
tasks if possible. Seek resources and support as needed to help you feel less worried and more in control.