The past two years have been an unprecedented and challenging time in our lives and careers as we navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. As we prepare to begin returning to our workplaces and resuming full interactions with our colleagues and communities, we look forward to recapturing the benefits of more frequent in-person collaboration but also recognize many will be challenged by this new wave of change.

One of the biggest mistakes we can make is underestimating the emotional, physical, and social impact of returning to the office. If we are unprepared and have not planned accordingly, we may be more susceptible to stress during the return. But with some preparation for the future and celebration of the past, we can all successfully manage our return to the workplace.