How To Get Back To Work the Healthy Way After Covid


Covid has created a lot of changes in the lives of people around the world. This may be particularly true when it comes to the workplace. However, while many may have been temporarily laid off, or have had to work from home, some businesses are beginning to transition back to the workplace. For some, this may be an exciting prospect, but for others, it may be more of a stressful one, not just because of the concerns related to the pandemic, but also because it can be difficult to readjust to the workplace after being gone so long. If you’re looking for ways to help get yourself prepared to go back to work feeling prepared and healthy, here are some tips for you.

Improve Your Diet

One of the best things that you can do when getting ready to head back to work is improve your diet. During quarantine, your daily eating habits may changed a lot, and may be quite different than what they where when you were at work. This could mean not only eating on a different schedule, but it could mean that your diet has changed a lot, too. To get ready to get back into the swing of things, it can be helpful to start eating on a schedule similar to the one you ate on while you were working.

Additionally, you should also take stock of the contents of your diet. When at home, many may easily fall into the trap of snacking more frequently, or of eating more junk food in general. By cutting down on the refined carbs and sugars you eat, while increasing your intake of fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as lean meats and leafy greens, you can help improve your health and energy levels as you get ready to head back to work.

Start Taking a Supplement

If you want to increase your energy levels and start feeling healthier, but are struggling to make all the necessary changes to your diet, adding a supplement to your daily routine can be a beneficial move. Some supplements, like multivitamins, can be great for helping fill in nutritional gaps in your diet, while others, like those that contain adaptogens, can be great for stress relief. The reality is that there are many great supplement options, like thrive experienceOpens in a new tab. that can help you to get your health on track, so doing some research and deciding what’s the best fit for you before you purchase one can be a good idea.

Take Extra Care of Your Immune System

Due to concerns about the corona virus, it can be wise not just to work on improving your health in general, but to give your immune system a little extra attention as well. Along with maintaining a healthy lifestyle by eating well, exercising and getting enough sleep, there are other things you can do to boost your immune system, as well. One of these is making sure you get plenty of certain nutrients.

Vitamin C and zinc are a popular combination for boosting the immune systemOpens in a new tab., and vitamin D can have many immune-boosting benefits as well. Probiotics can be yet another way to improve your immune system, since they are so helpful with boosting gut health, and having a healthy gut is linked to a healthy immune system. Additionally, drinking plenty of water can be another way to help ensure that your immune system is getting what it needs.

Find Ways To Actively De-Stress

When you’re facing a return to work, you may also be facing a lot of stress, whether it’s because you’re excited about going back, or you’ve been dreading it. Either way, finding ways to take your mind off of it and actively de-stressOpens in a new tab. can be a good idea. One of the best ways to do this is to pursue a hobby you enjoy. When you are engaged in an enjoyable hobby, your whole brain is occupied, and there is less room for negative thoughts or anxiety to creep in.

Some examples of hobbies that are good for releasing stress include fishing, knitting, gardening, sewing, painting, journaling, playing an instrument and cooking. This is by no means a comprehensive list, though, and if you don’t currently have a hobby, that doesn’t mean you should feel bad. Simply learning something new can also be a great way to keep stress at bay, and keep your mind active at the same time.

Start Exercising

Exercise is another effective way to get yourself ready for any changes coming in your life, and to feel healthy at the same time, too. Not only does working outOpens in a new tab. improve muscle tone stamina and flexibility, but can also slash stress levels and improve your hormone balance as well. When you exercise, it releases hormones like serotonin, as well as feel-good chemicals in the brain, like endorphins. These hormones and chemicals don’t just help you to feel happier, but they can also help you to be more resilient to stress as well. This means that when you experience stress, your body won’t react to it as dramatically, and that it will be easier for you to return to a calm state after experiencing stress.

When it comes to the kinds of exercises you do, the good news is that nearly any variety of exercise can be beneficial for your health, whether it’s cardio, strength training, aerobics, or something a little less intense like walking or yoga. What’s more important is that you exercise regularly, generally between 15 and 20 minutes a day, and that you pay attention to how your workouts affect you. This is key, because it can be just as possible to work out too much, as too little. If you exercise too much, your workouts may leave you feeling exhausted and could actually be triggering your body’s stress response, rather than helping reduce it.

Practice Good Sleep Hygiene 

When it comes to maintaining good health, sleep Opens in a new tab.should not be overlooked. Sleep can have a massive impact on how healthy you are, due largely to the fact that your body undergoes many healing and reparative processes during deeper sleep cycles. If you don’t get enough sleep, or are unable to fall into a deep sleep, your body may not be able to repair itself like it normally would.

This can mean not just feeling a little groggy or out of sorts the next day, but it can also mean an impaired immune system, as well as cognitive function, and a reduced ability to manage your stress levels. Although it might not always be easy to get all the sleep you need, by doing things like reducing screen time before bed, doing a calming activity, like reading, and making sure that your bedroom is dark, cool and free of noise, you can improve your sleep hygiene and start getting better quality rest at night.

The Bottom Line

Covid has had a major impact on many around the world. This may be particularly true when it comes to the workplace. Many may have spent a significant time away from work, and are now having to head back as some businesses try to return to normal. For some this could be an exciting prospect, while for others it may be a stressful one. The good news is, though, that no matter how you feel about it there are simple ways, like trying a supplement or getting better sleep, that you can help make the transition a little easier on yourself.

Steve Todd

Steve Todd, founder of Open Sourced Workplace and is a recognized thought leader in workplace strategy and the future of work. With a passion for work from anywhere, Steve has successfully implemented transformative strategies that enhance productivity and employee satisfaction. Through Open Sourced Workplace, he fosters collaboration among HR, facilities management, technology, and real estate professionals, providing valuable insights and resources. As a speaker and contributor to various publications, Steve remains dedicated to staying at the forefront of workplace innovation, helping organizations thrive in today's dynamic work environment.

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