Psychologists say that our brains have changed for the worse after working from home

• Cognitive decline is a real issue that most people who work from home have experienced over the last 12 months.
• Be kind to yourself and others as you ease back into a routine, and ask for what you need if you aren’t comfortable.
• Anxiety and depression are not uncommon — you aren’t alone.

If you feel different now that you’ve worked from home for the last year (or longer), you aren’t alone. Cognitive decline is a real issue after many of us have been isolated from co-workers and peers for so long. Now that many companies are mandating a return to the office, it’s no wonder millions of people are suddenly feeling anxious.

Since most of us have had no peer-to-peer contact in person or large staff meetings for so long, many of us feel a little uneasy about returning to work. It’s concerning, but know that it’s normal and you aren’t alone.

It’s important to understand how your brain has changed and what you can do to guide it back to “normal” so you can function in the return-to-office environment. Below are three observations and three corresponding tips to help you return to work.

1. Less socialization can lead to anxiety and depression

Our minds rely on social interaction. It’s how we learn to process emotions and even helps improve our memory. With the lack of social interaction that most of us had over the last year, it’s normal to feel like an introvert or less empathetic.

To avoid letting the return-to-office movement overwhelm you, give yourself some grace time. See about getting yourself back into working full-time in the office gradually and talk to your superiors about what you can do to ease back in. Since you likely aren’t the only employee feeling this way, you might be surprised at how understanding your boss can be.

2. The fear of the pandemic can change how you think

Let’s face it, the pandemic itself has caused many of us to feel fearful. Whether you were directly affected by the virus and experienced a loss or you’re just worried about your health, it can make it much harder to function in group settings. You may be anxious about your well-being and safety.

Rather than mulling it over in your head, talk to your HR department or  superiors. Ask what protections they are offering and what requirements they have in place to put your mind at ease.

3. The flexibility of working from home may make the transition to the office harder

Working from home offered more flexibility than working in a rigid office environment. Suddenly, you have to adhere to a schedule. You can’t eat as often as you want or even walk around and take breaks.

This can be a hard transition as you head back to the office. Many people feel restless, caged, or even anxious at the thought of having their boss looking over their shoulder again even if they know they do a great job.

While your boss likely won’t stop looking over your shoulder, and you’ll have a schedule to adhere to, there are ways you can ease your way back. Keep taking breaks, but make them quick.

Take a walk down the hall, fill your water bottle, or make it a point to go to talk to a coworker. You can also keep snacks in your drawer, and maybe even talk to your boss about working slightly different hours that align with what you were doing when you operated remotely.

The bottom line

Take it easy on yourself and be empathetic to those around you. Life changed for everyone — not just a few people. Ease your way back into the office, ask for support, and lean on those around you, as you’re all in the same boat.