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Adapting to working at an office 40 hours a week

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Posted 5/3/2022 9:38 AM (GMT 0)
I will sign for a job this week and in about one month start working 40 hours a week at an office. I'm a bit scared about this as I have been having work/school mostly from home for about 14 years. After a while, I will work hybrid but when I'm new at the job I start working 100 % at the office.

I will do my exercise either in the morning, during lunch, or after work during workdays depending on if I can take a longer lunch, etc. Quite short sessions and aim for one longer during the weekend. Fasting helps with time in the mornings if I work out then.

Move the IR-sauna to a while after dinner as I don’t have time before dinner if I want to eat at a reasonable time before bed. Never tested this, but I have read that it should be good.
Shift my bedtime a bit earlier, and likely go to bed at 10 pm, and up at 6 am. My latest experiment of removing screens 1.5- 2 hours before bedtime has been great.

Only take treatment on Fridays after work and on Saturdays. I want to reduce herxing to a minimum when being in the office. Then hit quite hard during vacation time in the summer and a bit more often when I work hybrid.

Spend a lot of time in nature during the weekends and fix all other stuff during these days, so I can focus a lot on recovery when I get home from work.

Might go for massages now and then also, as we will have a bit more money compared to before.

Anything else to think about that could help?

Seems like I'm starting in 20 days part-time as a start as I finish some things in school. Going to treat quite hard for the next 2 weeks.

Post Edited (Deep_sleep) : 5/3/2022 6:52:02 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/3/2022 1:01 PM (GMT 0)
I admire all your posts about your plans. I think a lot of us think things through to try to maximize our chances of improvement and minimize our chances of decline, so it's helpful to see which things others are considering.

A few ideas, in case something resonates:
- Ergonomics! Do you need an external monitor (not just a laptop screen), an ergonomic keyboard or mouse, standing desk, specific chair or chair modification pads, anti-fatigue mat for the floor? Pay very close attention to this set-up. Make sure that your neck is in good alignment, especially. It's easy to jut the chin forward in a typical desk setup and create lots of issues.
- Special glasses for computer screen glare
- Small air purifier in case co-workers' scents or cleaning products are irritating or toxic
- Earthing mat or frequent outdoor breaks if you are sensitive to being around electronics
- Pre-make some healthy, portable snacks
- Pace yourself! Don't feel like you have to master everything at once. I hope it's a workplace culture that allows for setting boundaries and doesn't require unhealthy levels of multitasking when folks are new.
- Do you have an open floor plan office? Maybe you're an extrovert who loves constant stimulation, but for some people (including healthy people) that environment is horrible for the nervous system. If allowed, I would need earplugs or headphones, and try to face a window or wall.
- Don't spend every non-work second on self-care. Try to keep up with your social connections and hobbies, as long as it's not stressful or depleting to do so.
- Be patient with yourself if this transition is tough. Stress causes an uptick in physical symptoms for even the healthiest people - including good stress. Remember all the tools you have, and keep faith that they will help you through eventually, but probably won't prevent all symptoms from flaring at least a little. And that's okay!

I hope it's a great change for you!
Posted 5/3/2022 1:16 PM (GMT 0)
We were talking about chemical exposures on another thread. Doing nose rinses after work can really help clean the sinuses.
I also kept a bottle of peppermint oil and charcoal tablets with me in case of a stronger exposure. I’d take the charcoal, go outside for a minute if I could, and dap the oil under my nose.

Also, if you need to use whiteboard markers, there’s good non toxic ones on Amazon.
Posted 5/3/2022 3:08 PM (GMT 0)
That will be quite the change, and your good at planning!

I worked most years but had to change and find workplaces that I could adapt to. I didnt dare let anyone know of my illness, In the US thats just a reason to get rid of a worker (laws dont really matter much.)

One thing about possible workplace stress depends partially on your personality, which is why I posted that in the past. Introvert vs extrovert, needing your own space vs with others all the time. I found that a smaller company with less people, less rules and more space was better for my personality. The type of people, their personalities, matter a lot (!) too of course.

Post Edited (astroman) : 5/3/2022 9:11:37 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/3/2022 5:06 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for a lot of great advice 😊
Ergonomics is a big thing for me as I'm very sensitive around that. I got a lot of headaches just from all the interviews as I was stressed and had to turn my head a lot.
I will use a monitor with my own mouse and keyboard and a sit/stand desk. I have a standing mat at home that I might bring if needed.

A small air purifier would be great, but I don’t want to show that I have an illness, so I won't bring that unless I get a lot of problems.

I use a neti pot sometimes, and I might use that more if needed.
Will buy some GI Detox tablets to use if needed.

It is an open office but I think it was only 4 or 6 in each room and around 20 in total at the office. I'm introverted so I will definitely work from home some later when they let me, but programmers, in general, are pretty introverted and I would definitely put myself in the more extroverted part compared to others I met. And will use noise canceling headphones some. I'm quite sound sensitive so this will be a pretty big challenge.

Earthing I will do at home.

It's nice that I will start with 2 weeks with 50 %, so I can get used to it some before starting there full time.

I will also have 4 weeks off in July, so that will be great. Unpaid as it's my first year, but still 😊

Post Edited (Deep_sleep) : 5/3/2022 11:12:24 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/12/2022 4:01 PM (GMT 0)
I'm starting to feel less scared and more excited so that’s nice. I have been treating pretty hard for being me lately and taking turmeric + black pepper two days in a row now. Last time I tried that I herxed very badly after the first tablet. Today I have taken bitter, broccili sprouts, glutathione, Argentyn 23, turmeric and H2 Elite(hydrogen tablets).

Not feeling great but a lot better compared to before. I went to the dentist for the first time in 9 years recently and it was way better than expected so that stress has been lowered a lot 😊First time since I got sick. Just one tooth that they had to work on and remove plaque.

Will be interesting to see what happens when I take treatment a lot less soon, I hope to stabilize and feel a lot better.

I have also been to a gym two times for the first time in a very long time, where I have been working out at home or an outdoor gym before. It felt amazing 😊 Will still mix in both outdoor gym and at home with my small dumbells, but it was great to lift heavier weights.

Next week Im going for a shorter massage, the first in maybe three years 😊

Post Edited (Deep_sleep) : 5/12/2022 10:11:36 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/12/2022 4:21 PM (GMT 0)
Hi! I am very proud of you. After being on SSDI for almost 10 yrs i went back to work. I graduated from college and this was my first real "career" job. Scared? You bet I was. I was at my worst with Lyme and in treatment. I was only looking for part time work but the position I applied to was fulltime. I was afraid to lose my SSDI benefits, what if I lost the job THEN WHAT? I had this intense fear of rejection and ridicule as ive gotten many times at past jobs. I am happy to say almost 18 months later I'm still doing great. I received an awesome 1 yr review and a raise. Are the days hard? Yes, some more than others. I commute too and there are days waking up I feel like I can't anymore but I refuse. Working has been the best for me. My new LLMD even said she finds more success in the patients that work and keep busy. My confidence has even gotten better. I guess I needed that "push". My coworkers and boss have been great and understanding with my Lyme (I disclosed it after my 90 days)
Posted 5/13/2022 7:52 PM (GMT 0)
It's great that it is working well for you. One of the guys I talked with during my interviews seemed to have autism so it's likely that it’s a place with more understanding of people with different needs. This morning I removed 9 years of tartar, and I had a great feeling in my body a while after. I have had a lot of issues with pain and herx in my mouth so I hope this is a turning point. I need to keep it together for a few months and then I will be working hybrid that should be no problem.

Post Edited (Deep_sleep) : 5/13/2022 2:03:45 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/13/2022 8:23 PM (GMT 0)
That's great that it seems like a very inclusive environment! My department is like that too. I'm afraid being promoted I'll be working from home because lol I really like the in-person working.
Posted 5/26/2022 4:55 AM (GMT 0)
I have had my first week and it's great with very few hours the first two weeks as I finish up school. Quite soon after I'm starting full time I will also be able to work from home two days a week and I can work out for one hour during work-time 😊 I can also take a longer break and work out and use the sauna during the day when I'm working from home.
This will also help with me being able to treat a bit more.

It has been going well with all the chemicals from new stuff like computer, monitor, etc. My biggest problem is around neck pain and headache as I'm turning my head so much more, but it's something that I can work on.
Going for a massage tomorrow and have been working harder on exercises for my neck.
But who decided that all the menus on Mac OS are always on the top left? Not optimal with a widescreen monitor when I have to install a ton of software in the beginning.
Posted 5/27/2022 4:18 AM (GMT 0)
Just remember a lot of neck muscle issues can be pretty far away from the neck like 1/3 down your back sometimes.

I found that moving your chair height and computer monitor height during the day really helps out your neck so your not stuck in one position all the time. At least modern computer monitors are very light weight so if you need to just jack them up 5 to 10 cm you can just use a small board or two...or a small box.
Posted 5/27/2022 4:02 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks. I have a sit/standing desk there and at home, and it was better when I did both. So I should continue doing that and it should help. I have been very tight in the chest and I stopped doing dips because of that, and the masseuse today suggested doing daily chest stretches.
Posted 6/13/2022 6:43 PM (GMT 0)
My neck problems are gone but I have had a lot of problems with dry eyes after moving into another room with 50 % more lamps last week. I also started being at work at 100 % and that didn’t really help. I talked with them about it today and I moved back to the old room. My eyes are still more sensitive but it feels a lot better and I used sunglasses for the last hour.

With that “fixed” I believe things will turn out fine and I found a forest nearby where I'm taking a short walk most days.

I have also decided to quit all treatment that kills for a while and hasn't taken anything for the last 2 weeks. It seems like the increased intensity of going to the gym is doing the killing/detoxing so I will get too much in my system if I take things at the same time.
I'm focusing more on other stuff instead and today after work I have done a short exercise, vibration platform, earthing and I'm doing low-level laser therapy right now at the same time as I'm taking an Epsom foot bath.
Posted 6/17/2022 4:16 PM (GMT 0)
Just finished my first week with 5 full days and it is going well. My eyes are a lot better, I'm solving things fast and got good feedback today. I'm not tired and the room where I'm in now is also a lot quieter.

I'm getting stronger at the gym, but I cant train that much as I get too many toxins in my system. I won't be able to work from home until after my vacation, but there should be no problem handling this until then.

As I'm not taking any treatment that kills now I will only take glutathione, bitter, and oyster extract tomorrow.
Posted 6/23/2022 3:50 PM (GMT 0)
I have worked there now for 5 weeks and I had my first day working from home today. I won't do it more often until after my summer vacation, but it will be great for being able to get in all the training, sauna, etc that I want.

I have felt the worst in a very long time the last few days after hard exercises at the gym, so I cant push as hard as I want. Looking forward to the day when I can exercise 4 hours each week and push as hard as I want at the gym or on the mountain bike.

So grateful for finally making some money again where we can afford to spend some more money on my girlfriend who just started going to lymph massage and getting help from a health practitioner.

I have been using the vibration platform a bit more lately, and I think it’s a very interesting angle. The lower stress with getting work after my studies and making more money should help a lot with my stress 😊
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