 | By Daphne Lee, News Editor | | Much was accomplished yesterday. I put on makeup, picked a fall outfit, and braved the notorious rush hour train traffic in New York City to spend a day in the office.
As I was scrambling to get ready, I sorely disliked the idea of an official return to the office life. But as soon as I arrived at my temporary desk, I was greeted with hugs from coworkers whom I had only met via Zoom before. Those hugs felt extremely three-dimensional, warm, and alive—sensations that have become rare since the pandemic.
I'd choose the luxury of working from home over commuting any day. But sometimes I do miss seeing my coworkers in-person and those organic water cooler chats. In the coming months, corporations and workers will have to navigate the same dilemma: How can we return to our pre-pandemic lifestyle with our new habits and rhythms? | | | Today's Top Story | | How Can Remote Workers Adapt to Office Life Again? |  | Over 80% of the professionals who worked remotely during the pandemic prefer to stay remote or adopt a hybrid schedule, according to a survey by Harvard Business School Online. Some people would even be willing to quit their job or take a pay cut to continue working from home.
Researchers say burnout was already a rising concern among the workforce prior to the pandemic, and the crisis has only pushed more people over the edge. In a period dubbed The Great Resignation, millions of Americans have left their jobs while COVID-19 still threatens the economy.
It seems like workers don't mind saying "I quit" nowadays, whether it's because of low pay, burnout or unsatisfactory work conditions. But if you're not ready to quit your job, are there ways to make your work more enjoyable?
Lacie Barber, PhD, associate professor of psychology at the San Diego State University, says that workers—remote or not—often feel "telepressured" to respond to emails and messages right away. Having explicit communication about your availability is crucial to striking a balance between on and off time.
"It's important to turn off gadgets periodically during work time as well," she says. "Many of our work tasks require deep work, focused time for complex or critical thinking."
If you're a manager or an employer who feels like you're losing control, Barber adds, this might be a great time to "delegate and empower" your team with additional mentorship and training. | | Know More | | In Europe, unions and politicians are pushing for the legal right to disconnect, referring to regulations that would set clear boundaries for work hours. But this concept is not embraced in the American workplace, which tends to celebrate an "always-on" mentality, Barber explains. Establishing predictable work hours may encourage society to value healthy work practices and avoid exploitative ones. | | Feel Better | | It's important to sustain healthy habits as you prepare to return to the office or adjust your work routine. This could mean meditating, exercising, or reducing your weekend social jetlag so you don't overcompensate for lost sleep during the workweek. | | |  | | Rather than leaving their jobs, a lot of people are being proactive about changing their workplace for the better. In an ongoing Verywell survey, people said they've asked employers to implement a more adequate COVID-19 response, such as providing face masks or on-site testing. |  |  | | Will This COVID-19 Pill End the Pandemic? | | Merck's COVID-19 pill, Molnupiravir, was shown to reduce hospitalizations and deaths by 50% in a clinical trial. Stock investors seemed very optimistic about this miraculous drug's ability to save lives. But the Merck study was based on a very small sample size and experts say the pill cannot replace the most effective tool that will help ending the pandemic: COVID-19 vaccines. | | | | Time to Ditch Your Sweet 'n Low | | Are you still adding those pink or yellow packets of sugar in your coffee? Artificial sweeteners can satisfy your sweet tooth without adding too many calories. But some studies suggest that these sweeteners may lead to increased cravings, glucose intolerance, and other health conditions. The good news is researchers found natural "rare sugars" in foods like raisins and figs, which are similar to the taste and texture of table sugar—but with very few calories. | | | | | |  | | Before you return to a more active routine, Rebecca Robbins, PhD, an instructor at Harvard Medical School, suggests thinking about ways to maintain your sleep schedule, afternoon breaks, and stress relief methods. |  | | Reflect on what you have changed during the pandemic. If there are healthy changes, find a way to retain those habits as we consider going back to the workplace. | |  |  | Rebecca Robbins, PhD
Instructor in Medicine at Harvard Medical School
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