Life has changed a lot since 2020, and a big part of that (for most of us) has been our work-life. We’ve gone from commuting five days a week to sitting in the comfort of our own home, wearing our pyjamas out of camera view.
The start of 2022 is seeing everything go back to normal, but for a high percentage of us, we actually enjoyed the home-working, and it may be one of the only things we want to take from the pandemic into the rest of the year.
How do you get yourself back into the office, after almost two years of home working?
The good news is that you’ve survived a global pandemic – so you’re definitely going to get through your new routine, whether that’s Full-Time in the office, or a Hybrid-Working situation.
We’ve compiled 6 tips to help you adjust to the office routine. We hope this helps!
Establish a Better Sleeping Pattern
One of the best things about working from home is the lie-ins! A lot of us may not admit this, but it’s very easy to wake up at 8:55am, throw on a jumper and some moisturiser & log onto a team’s call for 9:00 – with seconds to spare. Some employees have even developed a routine where they go to the gym, or for a morning run, and log on as soon as they come home.
Now you’re back in the office, and you need to wake up, get dressed, and be ready for the commute. The morning routine you’ve loved for the past two years has done a complete U-Turn.
So, how do you get back into this routine after such a long time?
We’d recommend going to sleep as early as possible to make sure you get your 7-8 hours. If you haven’t gone back to the office yet, but have a start date, start getting up and dressed much earlier, just so you’re used to it.
There’s plenty of sleep/meditation apps you can use to get yourself to sleep earlier than usual. Make sure you’re completely rested before you go back to work – that way the morning commute isn’t too dreadful.
Things to remember: Don’t be so hard on yourself if you find yourself tired for the first couple of weeks. It’s completely normal after two years from home. You’ll figure out for yourself what gets you into a better sleeping routine – whether it’s lavender spray, meditation apps, or going the gym of an evening so you hit the hay as soon as you’re home.
Revise Your Old Office Routine & Do a Dress Rehearsal
If your office is a bit ‘out of the way’, we’d recommend doing a full-dress rehearsal and travelling down there.
You can do this at any time of the day – but doing it within the timeframe you’re meant to will give you an idea of how it’ll be from now on.
Put on Your Favourite Playlist
Get motivated!
Make your commute something you enjoy. Put on an inspirational playlist to wake yourself up with your morning coffee and make a habit of constantly refreshing the songs that make you feel good.
This helps change your mind-set about going back to work. Remember, collaborating in the office can be a great thing for your progression – take it as a new start with new opportunities.
If you need any help with song choices, check out Spotify’s Monday Motivation here.
Add Some Home Comforts to Your Office Desk
Your desk is going to probably be dusty, with an old apple or sweets in the compartments next to you.
Clean it out and add some home comforts!
This could be something as simple as a photo of your kids, your partner, or your pets.
Thinking about adding a plant to your desk?
This is perfect if you’d like to give some life to your desk, and it can often remind people of home. If you need some help to start, check out this blog on 15 Easy-to-Care-for Plants to Liven Up Your Office Space.
Buy Yourself Some New Work Clothes
Sometimes all you need is retail therapy! Buying clothes that make you feel good boosts your mood, and it might even make you feel excited about going into work.
Wearing pyjamas in meetings might be fun at first, but dressing smart can actually boost our productivity and make us feel happier. It definitely gets you out of any lockdown slump!
Remember to ask for help, and offer advice to your colleagues if needed
Going back to the office can be scary, especially if you came straight out of university to home working. Make sure you speak to your co-workers and manager about it, and also offer support to those who are struggling.
You’re all in this together, and if you’re the manager, open up to your team about how you’re feeling, letting them know they can approach you with any worries they might have. No matter the issue, speaking with each other can often be the best solution.
Good luck to everyone readjusting back to office life. We hope this helps!
