Tag: #people

Feeling anxious about returning to work? You’re not alone. Here are some tips.

Feeling anxious about returning to work? You’re not alone. Here are some tips.

Posted on by Georgina Williams-Hodgson

Many of us are feeling a little apprehensive about returning to work after over a year of remote working. It’s not just about health concerns anymore, even though they do encompass a wide spectrum of stress and complications. Now, many of us have become so accustomed to our own space or small circle that the thought of meeting face to face again can be overwhelming. As we emerge from the most recent phase of the pandemic, many people are reporting feelings of anxiety in public places or real-life interactions. Some have people have been in isolation for the entirety of the pandemic, which makes this prospect even more intimidating.

On top of this, there’s also the fear of getting back into your routine and how to manage time effectively. Getting up early, getting ready, driving to work, sitting in traffic, picking up or dropping off children, shopping, housework, and so on, can all feel a little too much to handle. However, one very important thing to remember is you’re not alone. That’s why we want to share some simple tricks and tips to keep you calm now we’re heading back to work.

1. Breathe

We’ve already discussed the benefits of breathing exercises. According to psychologists, breathing is the number one technique to reduce anger or anxiety fast. This is because when you’re anxious you tend to take quick, shallow breaths. This sends a message to your brain, creating a feedback loop that triggers your fight-or-flight response. That’s why taking long, deep calming breaths disrupts that loop and helps you calm down.

2. Think it through

If you’re faced with a situation that makes you feel anxious, ask yourself some grounding questions. For example, “How important is this?” or “Will this matter to me this time next week?” or “Am I going to allow this person or situation to get the better of me?” This allows you to shift the focus of your thinking and give yourself a reality check. This is because when we’re anxious, we tend to fixate on the cause and this can make you feel a bit irrational. Asking yourself some simple, reasonable questions can help you refocus.

3. Relax your body

When you’re anxious, it can feel like every muscle in your body is tense – and let’s face it, they probably are. Physiotherapists suggest progressive muscle relaxation is a good strategy to help you calm down. To do this, lie down with your arms by your side and your legs outstretched. Start at your toes and tell yourself to release them. Gradually move up your body, telling yourself to release or relax each part until you get to your head. Or, if you don’t have the space or privacy to do this, a key site for the physical manifestations of stress is the shoulders. Make sure they’re dropped, relaxed and roll them back to release tension.

4. Get some fresh air

The temperature and ventilation in a room can increase anxiety or stress. If you’re feeling tense and the room you’re in is hot and stuffy, it will only make things worse. Take yourself out of that environment as soon as possible and go outside, even if it’s just for a few minutes. Post-pandemic, getting out for some fresh air isn’t going to be frowned upon, as we all know how important that’s been over the last 18 months.

Space to breathe

Breathing is key to our emotional and physical well-being. Rejuvenair knows breathing deep and getting safe air into your lungs is important – that’s why we’re committed to clean air. Click here to learn more. 

UK Firebreak ‘not currently planned’​

UK Firebreak ‘not currently planned’​

Posted on by Georgina Williams-Hodgson

If you cast your mind back to February, you might remember the Prime Minister Boris Johnson describing the roadmap out of lockdown as “cautious but irreversible”. Now, the majority of restrictions have been lifted and life is more or less back to normal. However as of this week, it’s now been announced that we might be facing a “firebreak” lockdown.

This is, of course, bad news. What was once touted as the once-and-for-all return to normal life now seems like an endless cycle of lockdowns. So what can we really do to get back to normal and live with the virus?

What is a firebreak lockdown?

A firebreak lockdown is basically a short, sharp lockdown, probably around a fortnight. This is designed to take pressure off the health service by limiting social contact and slowing the spread of the virus. Wales had one last year in October, which was fairly effective. England decided against it, which led to the major lockdown in November.

Sources suggest that the government’s plan for a firebreak lockdown could essentially act as an extension of half-term where children are (once again) kept home from school. This would be along with other restrictions on socialising and travel. It’s also been touted that the government is prepared to bring back compulsory mask-wearing and social distancing in public before the end of the month, should the situation continue.

Are we heading for one in October?

Members of the government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) have said that the UK is potentially going to enter an “extended peak” of infections and hospitalisations. This could, again, push the NHS to the limit. 

The advisory board has suggested there has to be a contingency plan in place to limit societal and economic impact. According to SAGE scientist David Parsley,“We are going to be at a peak, albeit an extended peak, quite soon, so it’s not really the same situation as last year, when failure to reduce prevalence would have resulted in collapse of the NHS and people dying in car parks.”

This is an alarming prospect. While COVID deaths are significantly higher than at the same time last year, they would have to rise fivefold to match late October 2020. Although vaccination has certainly made the picture less bleak, the question still remains: how long can this go on for?

Look to technology for solutions

As we did with the development of vaccines, we have to look to technology to make life post-COVID sustainable. Although undoubtedly indispensable, vaccines aren’t a silver bullet. Many people can’t or won’t have the vaccine, so we have to consider how we can stop the spread amongst the unvaccinated population. We need more lines of defence to keep people healthy and protect the NHS. 

The air we breathe is a key vector for the transmission of COVID-19. This is why air purification is a key technological solution to the post-pandemic world. Find out more about how Rejuvenair protects against the spread of viruses and other pathogens here.