Return to Office
COVID’s Impact On Us
COVID-19 forced a lot of changes for the majority of people in the country and around the world.
Perhaps the most notable change was the elimination of in-person activities, including face-to-face work for non-essential and office employees. Now, with the numbers of people receiving vaccinations on the rise, a lot of companies expect their employees to return to in-office work locations.
Whether we support the return to in-person work or not, we cannot deny that a large number of people faced with this return are very anxious about it.
Many people have spent the last year working from home alongside their children who were required to participate in remote learning as schools closed across the country and are reluctant to be separated from them again.
Working from home also has given a number of people more time to spend with their families as they no longer have long commutes, and has helped financially as they do not have the costs associated with those commutes.
Others may be anxious about returning to work environments that were perhaps not conducive to work in the first place – instances where there were problems with co-workers and poor management, for example.
Regardless of the reason for the anxiety, there are ways to cope with it. Chris Cancialosi shares the below tips in his article
“Return to work anxiety? You’re not alone.”
There are ways to cope with the anxiety of returning to work, and there are also people who can help to deal with the anxiety. Whichever method you choose to use, if you are dealing with anxiety due to returning to work or for any other reason, remember to be kind to yourself and to seek help if it is needed.
By Morgan Butler
Project Semicolon; by Olivia Lansburgh
The scratching of a soft silk blanket. My little sister sucking her thumb. The bounce of a miniature basketball hitting the rim of my brother’s door. The turning of zippers in the dryer. The smacking of gum.
Although easily ignored by most everyday sounds brought me to a place that scared me – a place that made my body tense, my eyes water, and, at times, made me question whether it would be easier to disappear. In third grade, I began to notice noises that bothered me, but it wasn’t until 6th grade that I started to develop anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts as a result. In fourth grade, my therapist recognized these symptoms and diagnosed me with Misophonia. Misophonia translates to the “hatred of sound,” and is a mental disorder in which irrational thoughts, physical reactions, and self harm are triggered by specific sounds. I was prescribed with a medication which stabilizes the brain and acts to reduce the effects of anxiety caused by my disorder.
At doctor’s appointments, therapy sessions, and family dinners. I was constantly told, “This isn’t your fault,” but I was never able to understand why this happened to me. Why was I born with this? In trying to overcome my disorder, I’ve enrolled in three inpatient programs, confided in three therapists, and survived one emergency hospital visit to get to where I am today: a place of feeling comfortable in my own skin. After a long journey of struggling with self-acceptance, I have committed myself to being an advocate for others with mental health disorders.
Although dealing with my mental health has not been easy, it’s been an unbelievable growing experience. Misophonia is often overlooked as an “invisible disease” – it is difficult for others to understand that sounds which, to their ears, are merely background noises, could bother me to such an extent. Years of advocating for myself and explaining my mental disorder to teachers was exhausting, but I wouldn’t have been able to return to school or receive the accommodations I needed otherwise.
In August before 11th grade my mom and I got matching semicolon tattoos on our left wrists. The concept of the semicolon tattoo comes from an organization known as ‘Project Semicolon,’ which was created in 2013 by Founder Amy Bleuel as a tribute to her father who died by suicide in 2003. A semicolon is used when an author could’ve ended a sentence, but chose not to. In this case, I am the semicolon, and the sentence is my life.
Although my mom does not struggle personally, she got the tattoo to support me and others with serious mental health illnesses. Even though it is physically small, I use my tattoo to raise awareness for mental health. With my tattoo and through social media posts, I am able to support others dealing with similar experiences. Whenever someone asks me what my tattoo means, whether I’m at the grocery store or the dog park, I’m given the opportunity to break the stigma surrounding mental health and explain the importance of being able to recognize symptoms of mental illness in those around us.
Starting in third grade, and continuing for the rest of my life, Misophonia will always be a big part of my identity, but it’s not something I feel ashamed or embarrassed about. Instead, I see my mental disorder as an opportunity to share and destigmatize topics of mental health. I will continue to be a voice for individuals that struggle with mental health, and a voice that encourages all people, even those that don’t struggle with it themselves, to raise awareness and support those who do.
Given that my tattoo is a permanent mark on my body, something I will carry with me everyday – it is a constant reminder of my strength and all that I’ve overcome.
~Olivia Lansburgh has been part of Rebecca’s Dream’s Junior Board since 2019. She is a strong advocate against mental health stigma. Thank you Olivia for sharing your story.
Good morning.
Eyes up. Heart up. Minds sharp.
Compassion on full blast.
Okay, let’s go.
Lin-Manuel Miranda
“IT’S ALL IN YOUR HEAD”
‘’IT’S ALL IN YOUR HEAD” contains information about: ADHD, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, OCD, stigma, symptoms and ways to cope.
Author and illustrator Marlee F. Is a teen living successfully with depression. As Marlee struggled to understand her thoughts, feelings and moods she created “IT’S ALL IN YOUR HEAD.” Marlee’s passion became helping teens easily understand they are not alone during difficult mental health challenges ~ help she wishes she had during her early years of confusion and shame.
Mental disorders don’t discriminate.
One in five teens are affected by some form of disorder severe enough to impact their daily lives.
However, with professional help and self-care most teens feel better within 4-6 weeks.
Tips & Tools
Uncertainty is an inescapable part of life, and the sooner we become more comfortable with it, the sooner we can reduce mental suffering. With the onset of COVID, there was so much more uncertainty. The more we looked at the worst case scenario, the more we fed this fear and allowed it to drive us. With the return to work, it will be helpful for you to recognize uncomfortable feelings.
It’s okay to feel scared, overwhelmed or ambivalent right now. Acknowledge those to maintain control rather than leaning into the fear and losing control. The sphere of influence exercise is perfect for those “What if” thoughts to help reduce anxiety when returning to work.
Part of avoiding “all or nothing” thinking is being prepared so you can adjust your expectations and behavior when returning to the workplace.
By Stacey Gottlieb, LCSW
Tips & Tools
Uncertainty is an inescapable part of life, and the sooner we become more comfortable with it, the sooner we can reduce mental suffering. With the onset of COVID, there was so much more uncertainty. The more we looked at the worst case scenario, the more we fed this fear and allowed it to drive us. With the return to work, it will be helpful for you to recognize uncomfortable feelings.
It’s okay to feel scared, overwhelmed or ambivalent right now. Acknowledge those to maintain control rather than leaning into the fear and losing control. The sphere of influence exercise is perfect for those “What if” thoughts to help reduce anxiety when returning to work.
Part of avoiding “all or nothing” thinking is being prepared so you can adjust your expectations and behavior when returning to the workplace.
By Stacey Gottlieb, LCSW
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