Although the delta variant has caused some employers to postpone planned returns to in-person work, with some companies now planning reentry as late as January 2022, many of us are already adjusting to life back at the office—and that's easier said than done. Once you've been told to head back to your workspace, how can you make sure returning to the office is a safe and even enjoyable experience?

See if you can arrange to visit your workspace ahead of your planned return date—perhaps on a weekend or during the evening. No one left the office in March 2020 thinking it would be more than a year later before they returned. It will feel less surreal to return to the office if you've tossed your 2020 calendar, pitched any lingering snacks, and removed dead plants. Consider bringing in new photos or redecorating your workspace to freshen up your environment and make it an enjoyable place to spend time.

How safe you feel returning to in-person work is a matter of personal risk tolerance. First, you'll want to find out what precautions your company is requiring. Does a local governmental authority require masking, or does your employer? Will hand sanitizer be provided? Have workspaces been spread out to ensure social distancing? Will meetings take place in person or on Zoom? These are all questions to cover with HR. Then, consider what additional precautions you'd like to take. For instance, will you feel more comfortable wearing a KN95 mask? Do you feel comfortable eating in the employee cafeteria, or are you allowed to eat at your desk?

Admit it: Many of us got into some questionable habits when WFH first started. The couch/your bed/the fridge is always handy. Perhaps you're rolling out of bed two minutes before your first meeting and not turning your camera on. Maybe you're taking a cat nap at lunchtime. If you've picked up a habit that wouldn't be acceptable at the office, break it before you head back to in-person work. It's akin to having your school-age child start going to bed earlier a few weeks before school starts.

One of the bright spots of remote work during the pandemic was the lack of commute. Not only was it beneficial to the environment, but it also opened up a sizable chunk of the day for exercising, gardening, hobbies, etc. While you can't, say, commute and play guitar at the same time, you can make your commute an enjoyable transition between work and home. Start listening to podcasts, or check out the audiobooks available through your local library. Perhaps this is the time to start learning Italian in preparation for your dream trip to Rome. Find a way to make commuting something you anticipate instead of considering it wasted time.