As you get older, you may find yourself experiencing major illness or injuries that require you to take time off of work. Additionally, you may also need to take time off of work to care for your elderly parents and help them heal from injuries or move into memory care facilities so that they can get the care they need. But when you have to take time away from work for these things, getting back into the groove can be challenging. Luckily, there are things that you can do to make this easier.

To help you see how this can be done, here are three tips for returning to work after a major illness or injury. 

Recognize That This Is A Transition

Whether you’re coming back to work after your own illness or injury or after caring for someone else, going back to full-time work after time away can be a big transition. Not only are you having to deal with this physically, but you’re also having to deal with this mentally and emotionally, too.

Knowing this, you’ll want to be easy on yourself for your first few weeks back at work. If you can manage it, try to slowly come back so that you’re not trying to take on too much too soon. But if this isn’t possible, consider coming back mid-week so that you don’t have to do a full week back for your first week back. 

Speak With Your Boss About Accommodations

Once you’re back at work, there might be things that you’re not able to do as you could before. So for the time being, it might be helpful to speak with your boss about any accommodations you might be needing. 

Depending on what mental or physical issues you’re still trying to deal with, you might need accommodations with your workspace, with breaks, or with your schedule. The sooner you know what accommodations you’ll be needing, the sooner you can get these things in place so that you can get back to work. 

Continue To Take Care Of Yourself Outside Of Work

While you might be needing to get back to work soon so that you can keep your job and start making a paycheck again, going back to work can be very stressful after time away, especially if you’re not quite feeling 100 percent yet. 

With this in mind, you’ll want to make sure that you’re taking care of yourself as best you can when you’re outside of work. Get enough sleep, eat healthy foods, and find someone that you can talk to about all that you’re trying to juggle and any stress that you’re experiencing. 

If you’re going to be going back to work soon after dealing with a major illness or injury, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you prepare.