Coping With Covid-19 Anxiety After Lockdown
Most of us have been asked to stay home to help curb the spread of the virus. However, with lockdown laws slowly being removed, are we ready to step out into the real world? While some have enjoyed slowing down, others are worried about how to cope with potential COVID-19 anxiety, during the new normal.
COVID-19 anxiety woes
Firstly, what’s the explanation behind the potential coronavirus anxiety? The answer seems obvious – although the spread of the virus has been slowing in many places, the virus is still out there. Therefore, it’s easy to understand that some people are reluctant to return to commuting or mingling in crowds.
However, according to French psychotherapist Pierre Nantas this is not the only reason for the sudden development of a stay-at-home temperament. “The situation we are currently experiencing has a lot in common with a state of post-traumatic stress. All the more so, because lockdown is coming to an end in a very particular manner – we are all allowed to go out again, but not to restaurants, bars or film theaters, which are still closed, in France”, said Nantas.
Similarly, people who remain living under strict lockdown measures are fearful about what will happen when these rules are lifted. “It is going to be uncomfortable for most of us,” said Akanksha Bhatia, writer and advocate for mental health and women’s rights, who currently lives in Chennai, India.
Nicky Lidbetter, CEO of Anxiety UK echoes Bhatia’s worries. “After you’ve been inside for a long time, it can feel very strange to go outside,” she said. You perhaps lose your confidence to do things you haven’t had to in a while,” she said in an interview with the BBC.
Coping with life after lockdown
Staying true to taking things slow and easing your way into the new normal, here’s some handy tips to help you maintain good mental health. Start off by establishing your priorities. The time is now to mind how you’re spending your time, money, and energy. Cut out things that you don’t want to do anymore and fill in activities that are in line with your priorities.
Next, create a plan to manage your health. Be it eating a healthier diet or working out more after spending weeks indoors, taking charge of your health can help you feel more in control of your life and mental health.
Finally, aim for having a great work life balance. It’s easy to fall into the trap of going all out to make up for lost time, as you seek to boost your income. However, this would only cause a risk in developing COVID-19 anxiety woes. Therefore, take things one step at a time and find a way to make it work, without a cost on your overall well-being.
Source: BBC, AFP relaxnews
