To be anxious returning to work after a week of sick leave?

[MelMar1]

Ah I feel so anxious about returning tomorrow! I missed a week last week with bronchitis. I’m a teacher and I guess I worry about going back to the workload etc. I did leave work for students when I wasn’t there, but I’ll still have to teach the content this week. Then even though my colleagues are lovely, I’m afraid I’ll be judged for taking the week, as people rarely take that long. Maybe I’m just in a spiral or overthinking because I’m still not even 100 percent better! I need to get in gear and do some prep for tomorrow and calm my mind down. Don’t even know why I’m posting 😂

I could have wrote this! I'm back in work on Wednesday after 2 weeks off with 'acute stress' as the gp put it. I've been put on antidepressants now too but I'm so scared to go back

It’s horrible feeling like this. I used to say that if you have one supportive colleague then message them and ask if you can go in together in the morning. Just having a person with you can really help.

You know deep down you will be fine OP. And your colleagues will understand (would they want you spreading germs around?).

Plan something nice for yourself tomorrow evening for getting through the day and just be kind to yourself tomorrow.

Wishing you well!

PS. Part of why you are feeling like this will be because you are not 100% recovered. Physical health will have an impact on mental health. Be kind to yourself. Set small goals.

If you aren’t better don’t go back yet. It’ll be fine when you do. It’s only work, please just remember that. A week or two out won’t ruin anyone’s education. 🌸

I had 3 weeks off last autumn with pneumonia and broke out in hives for 48 hours before I went back to work, so you definitely have my sympathy. It's such a horrible feeling when you're anxious about work.

Thinking of you and hoping tomorrow goes smoothly (my hives disappeared within 30 minutes of actually getting to work).

Oh bless you, yes I've definitely felt like that.
I'm an ex teacher and still get the dreams! And in my new job I still basically hardly ever take come off when I'm ill and if I do it feels like everything is going to be different when I go back. It isn't. Though I did have a supply teacher decide to do the end of the week's work and rush through it once so that when I returned mid week I went to teach a lesson that had already been done! That was infuriating!

But I'm sure that won't happen to you.
I find the anxiety leaves me after I've walked through the door and am so busy that I don't have time to think and then I feel better.

But be kind to yourself, take a snack in your school bag and I'm sure it'll be fine.

Normal. Take another week if you need to. I have felt this way before x

I was off nursery for 13 weeks before Christmas due to a back injury. Once I was through the door it was a lot easier.

I am sure no one is judging you. In my workplace it is also rare to go off sick. The viewpoint however tends to be if you’re off for a week, you must be ’really’ sick. Which you clearly were. I recently took 4 months sick leave. Was very worried that I would be judged despite being hospitalised and very obviously still unwell when I returned. Actually I couldn’t have been more wrong and it was a bit overwhelming coming back - due to people being so nice!

Remember you have been really sick, and won’t be 100% come tomorrow. Take extra days off if you need to. If you’re well enough to go in, sit down whilst you teach if you can, and don’t worry about catching the class up straight away, same for the make up marking. It can all wait; your health really is more important. If you can, have a hot drink and something to eat before you make the journey home, and straight to bed when you finish for the day.

Best of luck!