With the advent of vaccines, businesses are rushing to return to normalcy. However, the pandemic created a much-needed collective change in consciousness away from the nonstop grind. It realigned the focus on what genuinely matters in life — like time with loved ones and nurturing healthy passions like gardening and yoga. 

As a result, you might not want to return to the office — especially if you spent the last year or more doing little but logging in to work remotely. Plus, juggling your career with homeschooling your children might have you overwhelmed. If you’re feeling COVID work burnout, here’s how to give yourself grace while reigniting your work passions. 

1. Identify and Address Bad Habits 

Falling into the wrong habits can make your workplace seem bleaker than it is. Read nearly any advice column on how to cope with negative people at the office, and “keep your distance” will appear on the list. However, you might have virtually connected with some Debbie Downers while working from home. Their toxicity can make you dwell on all the things you don’t like about your employer instead of focusing on the benefits. 

If you work in a toxic environment, it’s ultimately your responsibility to look elsewhere. Otherwise, when you do return to the office, try to cultivate friendships with upbeat folks. It’s much easier to stop and smell the roses when your cubicle mate isn’t pointing out the weeds. 

Another thing you might need to address is substance use. Even if you didn’t suffer severe hardship during the pandemic, the boredom and lack of structure these past few months might have led you to the bottle more frequently. However, alcohol can increase anxiety and negative feelings — please restrict your consumption to no more than one beverage per day. 

2. Plan a Break If You Can 

A slow but necessary mindset shift is occurring all over the country. Employers complain about labor shortages, but the problem isn’t a lack of desire to work. It’s refusing to do so in conditions that aren’t conducive to human life and health. Nearly a quarter of American workers receive no paid leave. When coupled with wage stagnation, you can’t fault folks for enjoying their first break from the yoke in years. Their shoulders hurt. 

This phenomenon does increase the workload of those still grinding away, however. If you feel COVID work burnout from picking up the slack, please plan a getaway if you can. Remember — unless you are the big boss calling the shots, it isn’t your responsibility to do all the heavy lifting. Communicate with colleagues to make your holiday as least disruptive as possible, but recognize that you need and deserve time to yourself. 

3. Have a Heart-to-Heart With Your Boss

Another welcome mindset shift for many workers is their desire to ditch the commute and permanently work from home, at least most days of the week. A recent survey found that 30% of employees would consider quitting if their bosses insist that they return to the office full-time.

Telecommuting does make sense on multiple levels. It helps those with young children manage their childcare responsibilities more effectively. It also reduces carbon emissions, which is vital in addressing the climate crisis, and it often boosts overall productivity. 

If your COVID work burnout stems from the dreaded “all hands on deck by this date” email you received, schedule a heart-to-heart with your boss. Even if they don’t adopt a blanket telecommuting policy, they may consider leniency on an individual basis.  

4. Investigate Your Options 

A lot of work burnout stems from the feeling that you are trapped in your present circumstances. Empower yourself by investigating your options. 

Spend some time in mindful meditation — what do you want your career or work-life to look like? Then, write an action plan for how you can get to your goal. For example, if you work in customer service but dream of the writing life, can you start freelancing on the side? Getting your foot in the door part-time could lead to a full-time opportunity down the road. 

Pay attention to trends if you have been stuck in a dead-end that has you exhausted and dreading each Monday. Businesses are finally paying attention to what long-suffering workers have said for years — current salaries aren’t nearly enough to keep up with inflation, and working hard while still going underwater destroys lives. Bank of America, for example, recently raised their minimum wage to $25 an hour, much more in line with current housing, health care and education costs. 

If you like your current position other than the payscale, address this fact with your boss. If you get an outside offer first, all the better — use it as leverage to demand the salary you deserve.

5. Focus on Your Life Outside of Work 

Finally, please remember that work is only one aspect of your life. If you dislike your present position but don’t see a reasonable exit strategy, focus on things outside your job that give you joy. 

Look at the reopening of society as a chance to reignite your off-the-clock passions. You’re finally free to join that biking club or get together with a new knitting circle on Wednesdays. By focusing on family and friendship, you’ll feel less deprived when the time comes to punch in. 

Give Yourself Grace When Feeling COVID Work Burnout 

If you are feeling COVID work burnout, you are not alone. Give yourself grace during this transitional period.

About The Author:

Mia Barnes is an avid health and wellness writer that loves to write about the impact practiced mindfulness can have on wellbeing. She is also the Editor in Chief at BodyMind.com.