Introduction

 Have you taken a break this summer? Since the pandemic came upon us so suddenly, we were forced to change our lifestyles from what we once knew as normal to facing a dreadful nightmare. In this article, Jennifer Moss explains the uncertainty of our future led by the pandemic and how to prepare to return back to our norm, somewhat.

 As back to school and work returns, the month of September is known to be the busiest and most stressful month for many parents. We need to make effective steps to break the toxic cycle the pandemic has brought us to, mentally and emotionally. Keep reading to learn more about the steps you need to follow that will help you get ready for the new school and work year.

The many uncertainties the pandemic brought to our lives resulted in constant change. Not only was that flood of change abrupt, but it has remained persistent. It has felt like everything – from how we work to how we parent to how we navigate our relationships – is always pivoting.

So it makes sense for us to see hope on the horizon now, and perhaps want to focus on it so fully that we ignore our current reality for a while. But even though summer feels like the perfect time for an escape, this summer we may want to reconsider that approach to self-care.

Some of you may be asking, "Why? Shouldn't we take a couple of months to escape? Don't we all really need that break?"

And those would be fair questions.

Here's the thing. Yes, we do need to take a break emotionally and mentally. Yes, we do need to be hopeful. But at the same time, our mental health can't afford to get caught off-guard yet again. We may have developed emotional flexibility and resilience this past year, but we're probably in for a particularly stressful September and that requires mental preparation.

Good news! We can have our cake and eat it, too. Here are three strategies for enjoying a restful and healthy summer while readying for the changes that are likely to come this fall at work, at home, and in our communities.

Preparing For Workplace Return

For many, the way we work shifted dramatically in the past year. However, since our brains are designed to normalize stress and change, we learned to accept these shifts. It wasn't easy, nor was it ideal, and many of us are exhausted, but for the most part we've handled the upheaval.

Come September, a large swath of the workforce may be going through a massive shift all over again.

As part of my work, I speak to business leaders, and most of them have identified September as a "back to work" date. For remote employees, it looks like there will be an expectation of returning to the office in some capacity, whether it's five days a week or a hybrid approach of some days in the workplace, some days remote. Any of that will be a change for those who've worked from home for all or most of the past year.

For essential workers, there are still far too many questions. What protocols might stay or change? Will there be vaccination requirements? Will enough people be vaccinated so I feel safe? Will masks still be mandatory?

Autumn is always a period of acceleration for business, with employers looking to catch up or grow in the last calendar quarter. It's not surprising that researchers have found September is the most stressful time of the year. This year, though, we'll also be breaking a 20-month behavioural pattern. Having to change habits that are now ingrained will make the usual seasonal shift that much harder.

So this summer, balance break time with planning time. Assess what you want from your work come the fall. If you'll be returning to the workplace, list what you need to feel comfortable with that. Consider:

• Are there aspects of my job that I've been doing that I want to maintain going forward?

• Are there parts of my job that have been exhausting me and that I need to stop doing?

• What are my expectations for going back to the workplace? What happens if those expectations aren't met?

• Do I have social anxiety about returning to the workplace?

• Do I have fears for my physical safety?

To combat social anxiety, take some time this summer to slowly rebuild your peer group at work. Perhaps it's by calling up one or two of your coworkers and, when it's safe to do so, getting reconnected in person before the fall. Try to build up your comfort level now, instead of feeling completely overwhelmed later.

To combat fears about physical safety, learn about your employer's safety strategy. What is their plan? If you feel like you can, share your concerns with your manager. If not, consider consulting a mental health professional before September for help managing your fears.

Preparing Family For Return to School

Many of us associate September with back-to-school. For some, it's childhood memories bubbling up, but for parents of school-age children, the return to school is always a big transition – and this year will be a return like no other.

To prepare, it's important to identify whether our children feel safe going back. Let's find moments to ask them about their fears and, if there are real concerns, to plan a strategy for reducing their stress as much as possible this summer.

If the concerns are based on social anxiety, help children reconnect with school friends over the summer. Plan dates for get-togethers, perhaps more frequent in the ramp-up to school return.

Share safety protocols with children. Discuss what will be put in place for them and how the school board is working to keep them safe.

Some stress may be related to uncertainties about extracurriculars, both in school and after school. The rapid shift from no schedule to regular schedule will feel like a tsunami hitting the household.

To combat that, plan ahead – and challenge each decision.

• Should we just go back to how things were pre-pandemic?

• Should my child be in the same number of activities?

• Did my child flourish with virtual learning or was it challenging for them?

• Will they need extra time to catch up and adjust to being back in the classroom?

We need to prepare our relationships for the September shifts. For example, I am already booked solid for in-person speaking engagements the week school returns. It's a discussion we are already having at home. What will that look like for our family? As parenting partners, how can we be there for the kids and each other? What plans do we make with our support team so they aren't caught off-guard?

Preparing to Re-engage With Friends & Community

I want to reiterate that hope is essential and some escapism is healthy. We all need those days lying by the water or lounging in our garden or (fingers crossed) just sitting on a patio laughing our heads off with friends. 

At the same time, it's a good idea to analyze the habits we've built up during the pandemic. Some have made us better off. Some we may want to break. Take time this summer to address those.

If we're feeling nervous about being out in the world, let's start slow. We can begin to expand our circle by focusing on one or two close friends and being with them in person (when it's safe, of course). Our circle doesn't have to grow into a massive social group – reconnecting with a few people is the best way to get the ball rolling.

We also need to start re-engaging with our community. Loneliness has been at a peak this past year. In a recent YMCA WorkWell report (full disclosure: my husband is the Executive Director of WorkWell) 70 per cent of respondents said they agreed or strongly agreed they were feeling lonelier than normal during the pandemic. We must keep reaching out to people who are vulnerable – those connections are healthy for all of us.

Take time today to feel the hope that is rising with the increased vaccinations, the warmer weather, the upcoming loosening of restrictions. Go outside for a few minutes. Feel the sun or the rain. Be in the moment.

Then, take time to imagine a positive end to the summer. Remember, building hope comes from building plans. To leverage hope this summer, plan for a fall that is way less stressed, much more optimistic, and emotionally manageable at work and at home.

How to Recover From The Pandemic

After isolating ourselves for months from friends and family, it has been difficult for many of us to socialize and want to engage in the social life we once had. It has been said that for the sake of our mental health and children, it is important for society to work towards returning to our normal lives, even though it may be scary and risky at first. Furthermore, this also means spending more time reconnecting with us and the people we love and care for.