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Friday, March 29, 2024

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The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

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Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

AR Health Pro Offers Tips on Managing Stress of Returning to Office

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Tuesday, March 29, 2022   

Many employers enacted work-from-home policies to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the office. Some are starting to ask employees to return to in-person work, which may cause stress, but health professionals say there are ways to manage anxiety.

Rates of anxiety and depression among U.S. adults were four times higher between April 2020 and August 2021 than they were in 2019, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Nick Hopkins, a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner in Fayetteville, said it is natural for life transitions or big changes to cause spikes in stress and anxiety.

"First off, be kind to yourself and understand that the stress is normal and that it's not going to be prolonged, and it'll get better as you get back to that routine," Hopkins advised. "But also think about the aspects of going back to the office that you enjoy. What did you enjoy whenever you were going to the office?"

Hopkins added it may also be helpful for people to get back into a routine accounting for the extra time needed for commuting to the office, including going to bed and waking up at the same time every day.

Dr. Nicole Brady, chief medical officer for United HealthCare employer and individual for Wisconsin and Michigan, said fears around catching COVID at the office also can be a trigger for stress. She urged having an open line of communication with your employer about what protocols are in place to prevent spreading the virus.

"We all know that masks are effective and certainly are reasonable at any time, despite what the levels may be in your community at that time," Brady pointed out. "We know that vaccines are highly effective at preventing infection."

Other tips included suggesting staggered work hours or days to your manager, to limit the number of people in the office at one time. The CDC recommends employees experiencing COVID symptoms notify their supervisors, get tested and stay home until they feel better.

Disclosure: United HealthCare contributes to our fund for reporting on Health Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


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