Returning To Work Anxiety

[Bruce67]

I am returning to work from next week, on a phased basis.

I have a good deal of anxiety about it, but financially I need to do it, I am on half pay otherwise and funnily enough my landlady won't accept half a month's rent, Eon won't accept half my Lecky bill, car finance company won't accept half the monthly repayment..you get the picture?

So how has anyone else dealt with the anxiety about going back to work? I am doing 3 mornings first week and building up to full time hours within a month. That may sound quite gentle compared to others but mentally it's causing me lots of restless nights ( and days ) overthinking various scenarios in my head...

Also am worried about people asking me why I have been off work for last 7 months. I don't mind them knowing the high level answer but don't wanna talk about it as still distressing for me mentally and emotionally!

[Nunk]

Hello Bruce, I can totally relate to everything you say. Firstly don’t rush back, I know you say you need to financially but listen to your body. I felt exactly the same when I returned to work but you have to sensible regarding your health and don’t do too much. Lastly it’s no one else’s business why you’ve been off or for how long. Take care mate.

[Desjakey]

Hey Bruce,

Same here, I am due back on Monday, it will be 8 weeks since my LAD stent and to be honest I do have a bit of the fear.

I am the same financially although work have been great. I am going back 3 days a week to see how I get on.

I still feel totally wiped some days even by dojng very little but other days I am managing 7k and light weights. Today was a bad day, but I am hoping I don't have many of them.

Good luck next week and go at your pace. Don't hesitate to give me a shout to shoot the breeze if that helps you 👍🏻👍🏻

[baly_2023]

Hi Bruce,

The phased return will help massively.

I was so anxious about returning back, the questions, the stress of the job, going back to the office.

The first week was the hardest but once it's over ,that's the biggest hurdle done.

All the colleague questions are gone, you get used to that structured day, your brain rewires itself to BAU and it becomes the norm again.

I do what's expected of me but I am also very mindful of how I feel, so will take little time outs when I need them.

I've had a frank and honest conversations with my colleagues and senior leadership on how I can have moments when I don't feel great, why this is, what causes it and how I put this as my number 1 priority to deal with first.

I think taking your time to adjust, accepting it won't all be smooth sailing and having frank honest conversations with the right people is important.

good luck and try not to worry too much, I know this sounds flippant but at the end of the day it's work, yes it pays the bills but compared to what most of us here have been through it's not worth putting that much emotional investment into.

I'm now 5 months in, and it feels normal.

[Traveldreams]

I went back last month after 3 months absence post open heart surgery. I was different in so much that I couldn’t wait to return but it was overwhelming and I was overthinking it the week before. I popped in with biscuits to break the ice and get all the well meaning chat out of the way. It did mean that I only had to worry about work when I went back. Phased return for 3 1/2 weeks now back to full time. Working 8 am to 5.30pm and enjoying being back to ‘normal’.

I was tired the first week. Now it’s more aches and pains in my shoulder, wrist and back.

Take it easy and don’t worry about what others think or say. You’ve made it this far - work is just a blip on the rest of your life. X

[56dick19]

I know how you feel I was like that when I went back to work after a year off. I went back on for 2 hours a day then gradually built it up. I got so depressed I had to go for counselling . I managed it for about a year but my health got worse passed out a work a few times and had a ICD fitted. I got medically retired as occupational health said I would never be fit enough to work again.Hope things work out ok for you I feel for you

[Blackknight57]

If they care tell them you had a heart attack.

Frankly some nosey people need to mind their own business.

If you need help paying stuff, inform your services.

Under law most reputable services can’t refuse a payment however small.

Seems your land lady isn’t one of them

[Leonardo1]

hi Bruce I hear your anxiety I too felt very similar - I’m freelance so needed to go back to work - but I actually needed to go back to work for my mental health and my recovery too . it would have been much easier to say “well I had a heart attack and open heart surgery and that’s why I can’t work anymore “ but I needed to return to being who I was , that person who worked and who could work not the sick version of me . And I did reduce my hours and I now only work part time because it is a stressful job but being back to better health and able to work has stopped me being the sick person both physically and mentally .

I too was super anxious about getting out there .. but after the first day it was back to normal which was very healing .

Good luck take it slow but this is all part of your recovery .

[Yellow26]

Hi Bruce

It’s not easy to go back to work after being off for a while, remember your employer has a duty of care for yourself, don’t rush anything, take your time. I was off for 3 months, felt the same as you, anxious, nervous but after slow return it was like I wasn’t away. I did talk about my illness, it did help, good luck !

[Bruce67]

Thanks everyone for your kind and thoughtful words. Tbh my employer has been great, and my manager ( I have worked with for 15 years) has been amazing, even checking on me at weekends bank holidays and taking my mind off my troubles with chat about everything but my health!

I am lucky to do WFH for my first month back, as it suits me anyway. I normally do 3 days WFH and 2 in office but will see how it goes later.

The routine if work will help I hope focusy mind on other areas than health and absorb some time!

[EMBoy]

I only had a month off work after my pacemaker implantation, and went straight back to full time working. I was completely open about what had happened, and was amazed at how much help and support I got from my manager and colleagues. I got a lot of hugs too.

If you talk about your illness to the people you work with, most of them will bend over backwards to make your return to work as easy as possible.

Good luck.

[SaxManC]

I went back after 7 months just after Easter. Luckily my boss was really supportive and has had weekly meetings to see how I'm feeling about things, paused the phased return at 4 days for a couple of weeks and has gradually integrated me back into everything.I was nervous on day 1, day 2 and 3 less so etc. Make sure that any occupational health recommendations have been put in place eg car parking or access to appointments you find supportive (I'm still going to the cardio fitness classes as part of this).

You will be tired, listen to your body and tell them when it happens so they can look after you.

Good luck.

[Thanksnhs]

Hi I can understand your anxiety about going back to work, I had to do a few phased returns after various illnesses and surgery. I dreaded going in, I worked in a large civil service office and like yourself I didn't want any questions, it turned out fine everyone new what I was off with and the majority of people said that it was lovely to see me back, I smiled and it was left there and we all went on with our work like I had never been off.my heart was a different matter, I was told there and then I would never be able to work again and at 58 I had to take my small works pension, ESA, PIP and muddle through, I get my state pension this year that will help a lot.

Wishing you all the best going back to work, I hope it works out well. Take care char