Reluctant to Move on From COVID?

You're Not Alone.

COVID has changed all of our lives. Some of those changes have been immediate: social distancing, working from home, washing your hands. Others have only revealed themselves over time, such as the higher levels of stress, uncertainty, and anxiety that we collectively experience as we enter the third year of this pandemic. After a few false starts, we’ve been able to see a semblance of normalcy around the corner. Thanks to the vaccines, restaurants and bars are open, concert and sports venues are holding events, and we can gather together under one roof. Some people, however, are feeling their anxiety increase still as they are faced with more opportunities to enjoy the activities they once did pre-pandemic. They are feeling trapped by their worries, deciding they are the safest at home. If you find yourself in that situation, you aren’t alone. Taking it slow, balancing risk, and thinking from a different perspective are all ways we can begin to rebuild our lives post pandemic.

If you are feeling like you’re not ready to enter “regular life” again, it makes sense. This pandemic has drilled public health into our brains and trained us to be wary of large crowds, bustling offices, and strangers of every kind. We have been told to keep our distance, wear a mask, and socialize only with a select few individuals in our bubble. These rules do not get turned off at the flick of a switch, and neither does our anxiety. Getting accustomed to a new set of rules won’t happen overnight, so it is important to adjust your expectations not only for yourself, but for those around you. If going to a restaurant spikes your anxiety, try going for a walk in the city. Teach yourself what it feels like to be around people again. Take it slow and steady, only engaging in activities that are manageable to you in the moment. Once you’ve gone for a few walks, strolled around the grocery store, and ordered coffee in your favourite coffee shop, you may feel ready to be seated at a restaurant feeling confident in your choice.

Emerging back into society from a pandemic is not a risk free endeavour. Even though you and everyone you know may be vaccinated and practicing all pandemic safety procedures, there is still a risk in engaging in all the activities you once enjoyed. It is true that the risk is likely smaller than it once was, with vaccines and regulations in place to protect us. When it comes to weighing the risk, you also have to look at the reward. Being isolated from friends and family takes a toll on a person’s mental health. Throughout the pandemic, we have been robbed of many healthy coping strategies that typically reduce depression and anxiety. Pools, restaurants, and gyms were closed or had reduced capacity, making it difficult to work through many emotions. Now that these places are returning to normal services, there is a chance to pick up where you left off pre pandemic with these activities. This is especially important given how hard it can be for many people to get through January, what many consider to be a month filled with low mood, bad weather, and post-holiday blahs. There is even a day, January 17th of this year, that is called Blue Monday due to those aforementioned factors. This season, now more than ever, it is important to focus on what your self-care needs are to stay content and balanced through the next couple of months.

Lastly, a shift in thinking may help you manage your anxiety and worry as businesses start to open back up and a return to office work may be in the future. Many people are expressing anxiety over what sort of world they are returning to. The pandemic has ushered in a lot of new rules and regulations, of course, but it has also started new conversations, specifically about mental health. The world we step into post pandemic doesn’t have to look like it did before. We’ve had perspective on the importance of self care and communication, and how they impact the work we do. Many people have advocated to work from home part time as offices and businesses have started to open up. Anxiety, depression, stress, and worry are discussed more freely than they used to be; no longer is mental health being brushed aside, but rather it is at the centre of more conversations. There are many reasons to feel that the world we are stepping into is an improvement to the one we left behind. Physical and mental health services have been easier to access virtually, making it more comfortable and convenient to a wider swath of people. It is up to us as individuals to continue advocating for and prioritizing what makes us truly happy and safe. If we do this, post COVID life will be better for all.

Rob Baker, MA, RCC