Leaving Lockdown
Tips on how to manage your mental health while coming out of lockdown
As the end of lockdown is finally in sight, it’s natural to feel a sense of dread and anxiety. It’s been an incredibly strange year, and the idea of life going back to ‘normal’, without any restrictions, is daunting.
Many of us are all so excited to finally see our loved ones, friends and partners, but please don’t feel disheartened if this makes you feel worried, or you find it challenging to comprehend with your mental health. The sudden change from isolation to our old busy lives can be a very scary idea after so long of living inside with little socialising. It took us a long time to get used to lockdown, however now this is the new norm and it shall take us some time to go back to our old lives. There are many stresses that will be placed back into our lives, like going back to work, travelling abroad and being in crowded spaces. These are all things which used to be normal to most of us, yet now seems completely foreign. But don’t worry. Just like we bounced into self isolation, we will bounce back into ‘normal’ life.
The importance with tackling this is to make small little steps and move at a pace you feel comfortable with, when it comes to socialising. Start by trying to go on a walk with someone else and making sure you are comfortable with this. You could also go and sit outside at a restaurant, start by going with one other person, at a quiet time when you know it won’t be busy. This will help you to slowly introduce yourself to these surroundings again. You can then go back when you feel more confident at a busier time and maybe with a couple of friends.
If you are going back to work after a year of being at home, again go easy on yourself. Don’t feel pressured to have to snap back straight away, try speaking to your boss and ask if you can go in for one day a week at first so that you aren’t completely overwhelmed. There are tons of benefits to going back to the office, such as having a bit more of a routine, and we can no longer work from home in our pj’s (the good old days are over!)
When it comes to travelling on busy trains and buses, this can be a huge trigger for a lot of us. Especially after a global pandemic, it’s not going to feel natural to be in close proximity with strangers! A way to help deal with anxiety when coming out of this lockdown, is to start listening to podcasts or music that you find calms you. This is a really great tip to have up your sleeve, as it can really help distract your mind from running off with itself. Podcasts such as the Happy Place by Ferne Cotton is a really lovely, uplifting and reassuring listen.
With coming out of lockdown, there seems to already be this h.u.g.e pressure to see everyone instantly and to have a jam packed, fun filled summer. This is not the case! Remember, this is your life, your summer, you’ve gotta do what’s best for you, your mind and your happiness! Take it one step at a time and don’t feel pressurised to do anything you don’t want to do.
All the love in the world,
NN, x