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Key points
- Returning to in-office work can mean returning to a stressful routine, but people can find moments of zen throughout the day.
- Strategies that can help people feel calm after returning to in-office work include making time to exercise and enjoying lunch outside.
- Dressing for comfort, going home at a reasonable hour and giving oneself adequate time to get where one needs to go can also help.
Today, as I was just about to descend the steps to my subway stop, I saw a light indicating that my train was arriving in one minute. Generally, that would trigger my fight-or-flight response and initiate a mad dash down the steps, through the turnstile and onto the train just as the closing doors nicked the back of my jacket. But today I noticed it and intentionally thought, “Don’t run for the train. You’ll take the next one.” Indeed, another one was about four minutes away. Funny how that happens. I peacefully made my way to the end of the platform, boarded the train, and arrived at work a calmer person.
Don’t run for the train. Good advice for so many reasons. I would have been running through people with the possibility of ramming into them, falling, jamming the doors of the subway — you name it. I’ve always known these things and run for the train regardless. But now, in the wake of a year of working at home, I see that commuting and working in the office can be a different experience. Not running for the train helps me to control my time, continue to breathe easily, and be more thoughtful of others. It was a moment of urban zen.
Truth is, I’m happy to be back at work. I like seeing people. As much as I wanted to think that Zoom meetings were the same as in person, it doesn’t seem to be the case. Even with masks, there’s more feeling, more nuance, more understanding. Maybe we should call it “eye-to-eye” contact. But there’s no question that there’s more potential for wear and tear when taking the subway to work than simply walking to the next room. In my last post, I talked about ways to ease into being “back.” Now that I’m back, I’m thinking about ways to keep some of the “at-home calm” in my “in-office" life. Here are a few ideas:
1. Don’t grab lunch.
For years, I’ve grabbed lunch, grabbed a drink with a friend, grabbed dinner after work. No more. Bad for digestion, and just no fun. Even a short lunch can be a moment of repose. When working at home, I’d take a few minutes to prepare something in the kitchen and, on a nice day, sit outside with the paper or a family member. Guess what? There’s an outside here too and places to sit. No reason not to use them in the same way.
2. Make time for exercise.
If I had a few minutes between meetings at home, out came the yoga mat. It was heaven. But check it out — it's easy to put a yoga mat in the office. I have a door that closes so there is no reason why I can’t be in down dog for a few minutes during the day. And now that I need fewer cabs, there’s more walking in my life. Lots of people I know are figuring out how to bike to work. It's super fun and a great way to start the day.
3. Dress for comfort.
The first two items on my city “to-do” list were to donate my heels and purchase work-ready sneakers. No blisters, and every part of the commute can be part of an exercise routine. Hard to get to namaste if your clothing isn’t comfortable. Making that black tote lighter was key, too. Who needs a makeup bag these days?
4. Go home.
When you work at home, as soon as you’re done, you’re home. Not true once you’re back in the office. All the more reason to get home at a reasonable hour and, once home, to really be there. In this way, in-office life can help with burn-out, as it's easy to work all the time when you can practically do meetings in bed. Check your schedule. Any way to get home a little earlier and to truly shut down your computer when you lock your office door?
5. Don’t run for the train.
Before the pandemic, I did not give myself adequate time to get where I needed to go. Somehow I guess I always thought that Scotty would beam me up. At dinner parties, I often joked that “one red light could screw up my whole day.” That no longer seems like something to brag about.
I realize that I don’t have to meditate to find moments of urban zen. They are all around me, ready for the taking. I just have to notice them. They are in the few minutes I use to move more slowly as I accept that I’ll take the next train, in my choice to eat while sitting outside, and as I take a lovely walk to the subway rather than hailing the first cab. Every moment I reclaim is precious, calming, and life affirming. So, think about coming back to work — but on the next train.
