Tips to prepare to go back to the real world

The Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdown for almost four months created an unusual situation for all. We were stuck indoors suddenly — no going out to work or socialise. And now, we have got used to staying at home. But, with Unlock 1.0, we may soon have to report back to work. This is causing stress for many. So, we spoke to mental health experts to help us get ready to face the world again.

Meditation: Experts state that calming our minds before any big change is very importance. And meditation can play a big role in doing so. Tap into your worries: Psychologists say that it is normal to feel anxious or stressed before going back to work after the extended lockdown. It is important to acknowledge why we are feeling what we are feeling. “A lot of people are perceiving the threat of the virus and that happens because our nervous system is a little edgy. So, take precautions to protect yourself, and if you need more time, tell it to your employers,” says clinical psychologist and trauma expert Seema Hingorrany. Recall the positives of going back to work: We might have got comfortable with the idea of working from home, and not spending hours in commuting. Ask yourself whether you’d really like to work from home forever.

Besides, working from home has its fair share of negatives, too.

Get back to a routine: Taking one day at a time and making a proper schedule for yourself is the most common response to this problem. Kavita Mungi, mental health counsellor, says knowing what exactly your work day in office will look like can help you deal with the anxiety. Simplicity is key: “Make simple notes about where things went haywire in the lockdown. Make a checklist about things like your sleep schedule or diet, and try to fix them slowly. Small changes will help you to orient to the new reality,” says Hingorrany. Meanwhile, Mungi suggests that little things, such as listening to music while commuting, can help deal with the anxiety.