Living through the COVID pandemic has created anxiety for many people. For some, this anxiety has been stronger. Perhaps this has been true for you. Maybe you’ve worried about contracting COVID, having a loved one pass away from it, losing your job or home, or so many other things in the last fifteen months.
There’s a sense of hope, excitement, and anticipation for many with the COVID vaccine. But after living in anxiety for so long because of the pandemic, you may struggle to move beyond that fear as the world reopens.
Here are some suggestions to help you do that.
Continue to Take COVID Precautions
Of course, even if you’ve received the vaccine, it’s still recommended that you continue taking precautions. This can protect those around you who haven’t received the vaccine. Continue to wear a mask and follow social distancing guidelines as the CDC advises. Use your best judgment for social gatherings.
While you’re doing this, remember to have confidence in the fact that you’re vaccinated. They’ve been proven to be very effective. You can participate in the world’s reopening while taking steps to protect yourself and others. These protective measures can give you supportive reassurance to deal with anxiety.
Take Small Steps
After living in isolation for over a year and following strict pandemic protocols, it’s understandable if you don’t feel ready to jump right back into pre-pandemic life. Humans become accustomed to their circumstances. Even if you didn’t enjoy pandemic life, transitioning can require patience.
Because of this, you can ease into the transition by taking small steps back toward pre-pandemic life. If you’ve avoided any social gatherings, you could start by meeting a friend at a park to walk. As you become more comfortable, perhaps you can gather with a few more friends in the backyard.
These gradual steps will help you adjust slowly as the world reopens. And moving slowly is often a good way to deal with anxiety while also making progress.
Practice Anxiety Management Skills
Pandemic or not, using anxiety management skills to deal with anxious feelings is always a great idea. If you’re not familiar with them, here are a few suggestions.
Deep Breathing
When you feel anxious, try to stop and slow down your breathing. Focus on deep breaths that move into your belly. Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. As you do this, your heart rate will slow and more oxygen will travel through your bloodstream. Your anxiety should lessen.
Exercise
Any type of exercise can help reduce feelings of anxiety. Even a short walk can do wonders. Exercise releases mood boosting endorphins. It also burns off the excess energy that can come with anxiety.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness is, in part, the practice of paying close attention to your immediate surroundings and sensations. As you do this, you learn to slow your thoughts down. Your anxiety, likewise, will subside.
Whenever you feel overwhelmed by anxiety as the world reopens after COVID, try using one of these anxiety management skills.
Therapy
The pandemic has created difficulties for many people. Anxiety, depression, and other mood issues have been common responses to the uncertainty. And while there’s great reason to hope, some people will naturally need to proceed with more caution than others.
If you continue to struggle with anxiety as the world reopens despite taking proactive steps on your own, consider therapy. As an experienced therapist, I can help you get to the root of your anxiety. Together, we can identify skills to build that will carry you beyond your fear and back into a post-pandemic life. Please contact my office to learn more or go to Anxiety Treatment.