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This morning, I was invited on to chat with Kirsten O’Brien on Bbc Radio Berkshire Breakfast Show. We talked about things people can do if they’re feeling anxious about going back to work after the Christmas break.
Here are my five top tips:
Understand the root cause of any anxiety you might be feeling
Talk it through with someone, or write those thoughts down on paper. It’s quite normal to feel a bit out of sorts at this time. Many of us have got out of routine, getting up later than normal, eating and drinking more or differently, cosying up and bingeing on box-sets. Getting back into work routine and well, just normal day-to-day life, can be a shock to the system for some.
Get organised
Make a to-do list of the most important things to focus on in the first week back. A 2023 study published in the Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology suggests that engaging in planning at the start of the week can lead to less unfinished tasks at the end of the week.
Treat yourself
Book in some treats for your first week back, such as a nice lunch with a work friend, or spending those vouchers someone got you for Christmas.
New year, new start
Take the opportunity to start some new work habits. For example, if you were working excessively long hours before the break, why not set yourself a goal of leaving work on time at least three days a week? Think ahead in terms of any obstacles to goals you might set yourself. The WOOP framework for goal-setting is really helpful for this.
Look for a new job
Lots of people use the new year to look for a new job. Update your CV to include your most recent achievements, smarten up your LinkedIn profile including a headshot, and sign up for job alerts on relevant job sites and LinkedIn. And if you’ve lost your way with what you want to do, check out this post where I share five activities to help with career planning.
REFERENCES
Uhlig, L., et al. (2023). A field experiment on the effects of weekly planning behaviour on work engagement, unfinished tasks, rumination, and cognitive flexibility. Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, 96, 575-598.
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Mindfulness at work: 6 things to do to focus and manage interruptions
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