Back to normal after lockdown
The Covid-19 pandemic and these months of lockdowns, loneliness, Zoom calls, grief, illness, monotony, job loss, and economic hardship have caused an extraordinary rise in anxiety and depression. In the last few months it has been recorded a growing number of psychological factors that could lead to emotional health problems: anxiety, brain fog, depression, and in some cases PTSD.
Anxiety or depression manifest in many ways. Some can’t focus, are unproductive, or are exhausted. Many are grieving the loss of loved ones. Others are lonely or unsure of what to do now that they’re vaccinated, or fearful about a variant resitant to the vaccine protection.
People are sleeping poorly or forming unhealthy habits. These feelings of lonelyness and isolation could also spark cravings similar to hunger, leading some people to eat more and gain weight or increase their drinking or drug use.
Fear of lockdown ending
Going back to ‘new’ old routines will feel unusual and some could feel fearful, anxious, frustrated, angry or nervous. Throughout the pandemic, we had to develop new habits in response to keeping safe, as well as having to learn to manage our expectations and emotions when it comes to lack of social contact opportunities, like travelling and going out to meet our friends and family.
As we had to adapt to that reality, the easing of restrictions and re-opening of work and social spaces, it can be tough and it can take time to adjust as much as it took us time to adjust to living in lockdown.
Check your expectations about the new normallity as they may not be all that realistic and will only lead to further feelings of disappointment, frustration, and even anger. Reactions will vary from person to person, it's important to be mindful and respectful of whatever other people are feeling.
Coping with the end of restrictions:
Valitade emotions
Understanding and showing acceptance for not only ours but also other's feelings. When people receive this type of validation, they feel that their emotions are not only seen and heard by others but that these feelings are also accepted.
Self-care
Self-care includes caring for your health and spending time on the activities you enjoy. These small moments of self-care build up to produce a more resilient version of ourselves over time and they help to strengthen our coping mechanisms.
Go at your own pace
Take all the changes and opportunities at your own speed and ignore any pressures from those around you who may be going at a quicker pace.
Try not to compare yourself
Sometimes comparisons can be helpful. They can inspire you to change and improve yourself, burt other times, they can be a means to pick yourself apart and see everything that you think is wrong with you.
Be ready for changes
Our new normal is about being flexible and continuously adjusting to uncertainty, and while this could be uncomfortable, it's something we need to learn to cope with for our own wellbeing. Limiting how far into the future you plan to give a better sense of control and limit disappointment.
Gradually introduce socialising
Physical contact is likely to feel odd for a while. Reconnect gradually, start with those you really trust and slowly scale up. It’s not surprising many of us might be feeling socially ‘rusty’. We’ve all, to varying extents, experienced loneliness and social isolation during the pandemic.
Always remember that if you are having a tough time reintegrating into society or not coping with your current situation, you can reach out for support.
