Does anyone else who works hybrid feel AWFUL in the office?

[Edasseri]

I don’t know what it is, but on my office days (twice a week) I feel so much more tired than usual and end up with a headache. When I get home from work I just don’t have the energy to do anything and usually have to get in bed for an hour or so in hopes that my headache will go away and then I have an early night.

I dread the office days because I know it’s going to be a day of feeling rubbish. But I used to come in 5 days a week before Covid and don’t recall feeling like this.
Anyone else?

Is it the lighting perhaps?

Defo, I go in twice a week and always have a headache by lunch time. I don't know if it's the constant noise (big open plan office), or the artificial lighting (those sat next to the windows keep the blinds closed), or the lack of fresh air (windows don't open).

On office days I feel peopled out and want to lie down in a dark quiet room afterwards. Can't do that tho as I am a single parent.

You possibly need glasses. My husband had the same issue and has had a pair of reading glasses recommended. Absolutely tiny modification to clear lenses but wearing them in office has sorted the crashing headaches he was getting.
Optician said it was a combination of lighting but the flickering on screens which you don't really notice with the naked eye.

But sensory overload too. I find it really unproductive in the office now.

Same.

I am far more productive at home.

I now only work outside the house and it’s a busy role but rewarding . I did wfh before which was much easier of course. I echo a previous poster though , I finish work and have to pick up 3 kids , dinner , clean , laundry , drive to activities etc etc…. No lying down in the dark 😂 But I hear you op

I am also in the office twice a week and feel exhausted when I get home

I've always put it down to being 'observable' all day. Needing to be aware of myself, posture, friendly face, other people approaching my desk or just being around other people In general is more draining than being alone

We were talking about this in the office (actually IN the office) yesterday. So many of us were complaining that we get headaches and also get very tired by about 2pm.

We came to the conclusion that it's the background noise, the lighting, the stale air/airlessness. I and some others already have glasses for computer work, so it's not that.

We all do much less work in the office than wfh too. It's nice to see people though. I plan my week around where I am - I do different tasks in the office than when I'm at home it's easier to "do" MN when wfh :)

Glad to know it’s not just me then, and it’s fairly normal. I do need glasses to see long distance but never wear them in the office because I can see my screens fine as they are close enough.

@KnickerlessParsons yes once 2pm arrives, I hit a wall and wonder how I’m going to get through the rest of the day. It’s awful

I don't get any more headaches in the office than I do at home, but I do always feel a lot more tired when I work in the office. I don't think that's any great surprise, though, as when I work from home I can get up at 8.45am and log on at 9am in my pyjamas, whereas when I come into the office I'm up at 7am to get ready to leave by 8.30am, so I just get a lot less sleep on office days. I also think I get more tired mentally just from being around people and making conversation all day really.

I wouldn't say I dread office days or feel rubbish, but I definitely feel less tired when I work at home. The artificial lighting and interactions in the office can be draining.

But, there is good reason for me to be in when I'm in, so it's fine, it's just part of my job. I'm glad I'm not dragged in pointlessly like some people are and I love having the option to work at home some days.

I need glasses for distance but had to start wearing them at work too because sat at a desk with two screens under artificial lighting was starting to strain my eyes. So it could be that.

I am definitely more tired on office days (but not to the level I need to go to bed, I'd say that's pretty unusual.) But I do pick DDs up from after-school club, cook an easy dinner and just want to chill in front of the TV on evenings after being in the office. I think it's just the extra commuting and getting ready time and also being "switched on" all day as I'm constantly around people.

Overall, I recognise it's good for me to get out of the house though. I do two days a week in the office and that's perfect for me.

I don't feel awful but I definitely find it more tiring and I have no idea why. I don't have a long commute and it's not a remotely pressured environment. It's weird! I went in yesterday and I was wiped out when I got home.

I work from home full time now but DH is hybrid. He is really tired after his office days and says that his team use the day he is in the office to basically come to him with their complaints that they collect over the course of the week. They are very rarely the productive problem-solving type conversations and quite often people just want to have a moan or complain about coworkers. So he spends half a day listening to that and then falls behind on his usual workload. He is absolutely drained by the time he comes home and thinks being face to face is not as great as people make it out to be in terms of productivity.

I used to dislike my office days due to the logistics of having to wake up 2.5hrs early, do my make up, hair, pack my lunch, commute, drop dc off at breakfast club -sometimes I was tired before I even made it to my desk. Then the afternoon slump kicks in and at home you can just stretch your legs , have a cup of tea and take it easy for an hour or so catching up on simple tasks. In the office there is a lot of sitting and looking productive and even things like having to keep your posture straight for 8 hours and stare at your computer screen is physically challenging.