During the pandemic, social isolation brought about a wave of mental health challenges for us all. In fact, nearly 31% of those surveyed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated that they experienced anxiety or depression symptoms in the midst of the pandemic. For some, the return to normal life is terrifying. As restrictions continue to lift across most states, it’s natural to feel anxious to reconnect. To ease your process of reentering society, we’ve outlined a few tips on how to cope below.
Reintroduce social activities slowly
We’ve been out of practice when it comes to socializing, so easing back into social events may relieve the anxiety you’re feeling. While you may feel pressure to do everything at once, remember to take as much time as you need. You don’t want to exhaust yourself and overdo it too quickly. Easing back into a social routine will take time – allow yourself to readjust at your own pace.
Remember what’s in your control
Oftentimes, anxiety is a result of uncertainty. But now that we have a better grip on how to handle COVID-19, there are practices you can do to ease stress when seeing friends or family for the first time in a while. We first suggest doing your research – it’s important to know what regulations are in place in your local community. It may also be beneficial to create a list of things you know you can control, such as getting your vaccine, meeting outdoors and wearing a mask. This will help you focus on what you can do to keep yourself and others safe.
Accept that some things have changed
While some aspects of our day-to-day lives may return to what they once were, there are many post-pandemic life changes that will likely be here for a while. And, there’s a strong chance that some things will never be the same as they were before – and that’s OK. We’ll admit it can be scary and uncomfortable to go through this transition, but it’s important to keep in mind that most of these changes will benefit the health and safety of our community – and our country as a whole.
Seek a professional’s help when needed
If you find your anxiety is impacting your personal and professional life, it may be time to seek assistance. If you’re feeling anxious, overwhelmed or depressed, there are a number of mental health professionals who are prepared to help you find positive coping mechanisms.
While some may find this transition exciting, others may struggle more than they have in a long time. If you or someone you know is having a hard time coping, our team of certified staff members and clinicians want to help. Through our mental health counseling services, we can assist those experiencing hardships find positive solutions. For more information, contact us at 508-427-5362 or click here.