Whilst many of us complain about the mundanity of work, for those that have suffered a serious injury or illness the idea of returning to work and relative normalcy is a dream that they can strive towards as part of their road to recovery. Nonetheless, heading back into the office can be a daunting task, and for the return to be a success then it is important to make the move in small manageable steps.
1. Stay in contact with your colleagues
One of the most overwhelming aspects of returning to work after an extended period away is the idea of being confronted by dozens of different people you have not spoken to in months or even longer. If possible, a simple call to one of your colleagues every fortnight will mean that you will not be completely out-of-the-loop when you return to work either socially or professionally, and the transition back to work will be an easier process.
2. Keep your boss up-to-date
If you are signed off work for an extended period then you might not need to stay in regular contact with your boss for work purposes, but they will want to know how your recovery is going and critically just a simple call or email every few weeks will also assure them that you do plan to come back and care about your role so they should keep your role open for your return.
3. Make any changes gradual
Depending on your injury or illness you may have to make changes to your work routine, and such changes can take time to get used to – don’t rush it and try to do everything at once. If you have injured your neck or spine and now need a wheelchair, take some time to get comfortable with your new wheels before trying to head straight back into work, or if you have had a brain injury then try to give yourself more time to adapt as new situations may be more difficult to adapt to. To make your return to work a success, you need to go at your own pace and avoid putting too much pressure on yourself.
4. Look after yourself
Recovery is a difficult process no matter who you are, and a great way to reduce stress is to prepare physically and mentally for the challenges that will come with returning to work. Healthy eating and regular light low-impact exercises, such as yoga and swimming will make sure your body is in the best position it can be to face whatever your future holds.
5. Don’t be afraid to ask for help
It may feel like you are alone at times on your road to recovery, but you can be sure that others are in fact facing many of the same difficulties as you and there are people who want to help – both in your personal life and trained professionals. If you are having a tough day or worrying about that first day back, then don’t be scared to pick up the phone and call someone to talk, or if you’re not much of a talker then there are forums and messages groups dedicated to helping people just like you.