As lockdown restrictions slowly lift, we all need time to adjust and adapt. Just as we needed to adjust and adapt as we went into lockdown the first time.

I was excited to be able to meet up with friends I hadn’t seen in ages for a social cycle ride. That’s something I’ve really missed. It’s all very well chatting on Zoom but it doesn’t beat seeing each other in real life.

Take it easy

Adjusting to change can take time. While many are eager to get back into the office, others are apprehensive having isolated for so long. It can seem uncomfortable, unfamiliar and cause anxiety.

If you have the option, ease in gently. Go out or to work at quieter times, when there aren’t as many people around. I know when on holiday in quiet, remote or isolated places, returning to the hustle and bustle of civilisation bombards the senses and can be overwhelming after a time away. And that’s after just a couple of weeks away, never mind several months.

You’ll need to adjust to the routine of 9-5 office hours when you’ve been used to a more flexible working day. Perhaps you’ve planned working hours around family and childcare responsibilities for the last few months. Plan ahead. Think about the adjustments you need to make as you get back into the routine of commuting and working from the office.

Are you going to work from home one or twice a week or jump straight back in, working five days a week from the office? Allow time for your energy levels and body to adjust when you may not be used to waking up earlier, working longer days and exercising, eating and sleeping at different times.

Avoid jumping back into the social whirl we’ve missed out on for the last few months. Don’t overdo it, especially when you’re not used to it. Ease in gently.

Hold on to the benefits

There have been positives from our time spent in lockdown. What will you take from your time in lockdown?

Quality time with family.

People have been able to spend quality time with their immediate family. While the pressure of home-schooling has added to parental demands, it’s also enabled parents to spend more time with their children. Without some of the social distractions and commitments, they’ve had more time to focus on and be with each other, cooking, eating and playing together. While this has also put a strain on relationships, many people say they’ve got on better with their partner and children.

• Set aside ‘quality’ time for your partner, children and family when you focus on them and not work or your phone.

Time for exercise.

Swapping commuting time for exercise has been one of the benefits of the lockdown and furlough. Many people now found time to exercise. Something they often don’t have time for when spending 1-2 hours travelling to and from work. It makes a good addition to a morning or evening routine or to break up the working day. I’ve certainly upped the number of exercise class I do in a week. Thanks to them now being on Zoom and avoiding heading out on a cold, wet, windy evening. I’m hoping others have enjoyed the benefits of regular exercise and will keep this up.

• Find time to exercise or get active in the week.

Slowing down.

With the limits on going out and about, there’s been less pressure to jump into the social whirl. Less demand for the parental taxi service, ferrying children to after school activities, parties and games. Meeting up with friends or going out and about every weekend. While we’ve missed social interaction, keep a sense of space and boundaries. Create gaps in your social calendar for just you, your partner or your family.

• Just because you receive a social invite, doesn’t mean you have to accept it.

Working from home.

A year ago, people weren’t feeling comfortable with the idea of working from home. Now, many of them love it and the flexibility it brings. Plus the benefits of less time travelling or commuting, having more time with family.

• Are you planning to work from home more, given the opportunity?
• Will your employer now expect/allow you to work from home either permanently or on a more flexible basis.

Spending less.

While many of us switched to online shopping as a distraction during lockdown and deliveries of not just food but ‘stuff’ have soared, we’ve also discovered the pleasure of shopping locally. Small businesses have just about managed to keep themselves going by adapting their businesses and switching up to be able to service us while in lockdown with home deliveries, take-away, serving their communities.

We’ve saved by not travelling, not going on holiday, not paying for lunches and snacks away from home.

• Set aside a regular amount each month towards your next significant purchase or just to create an emergency savings fund.

Focus on what’s important.

When the demands on your time are reduced, you appreciate what’s really important in your life. When your health and that of those you love is threatened, you also appreciate some of the things we take for granted.

What have you learned while in lockdown, not literally, many had ideas of learning a language or a music instrument but from your experience of lockdown. Share them in the comments.

Further resources:

Working from home during a crisis (Blog post)

How To Work Effectively From Home (Free e-book)

Returning to the workplace – CIPD article and downloadable guide.