Everything old is new again: 4 tips to manage nervousness and worry during the "reopening phase" of a pandemic.

With the slow reopening of New York, we are faced with “old” activities that may feel new. It has been over one year since the COVID-19 pandemic ravaged everything we knew to be usual. Simple tasks such as going to work, became dangerous. Giving way to online working from home and lots of Zoom meetings.  Food shopping was replaced with delivery services or rushed weekly shopping in makeshift hazmat gear. Children going to school was a mere memory, replaced with home schooling and google meets.

We need to acknowledge that our lives were turned upside down. That is our first step. Once we acknowledge that and those emotions that went along with the pandemic, we can begin to heal. It is far from over, however, social settings such as going to the movies, sports games and concerts are all re-emerging, even if they may look a little different. It is very normal to be out in a social setting and feel nervousness, feel that you are uncomfortable, and to feel “strange” when socializing with people who you have not seen outside of a virtual meeting. Here are a few tips about what may be supportive to you during this nerve wracking time.

1.     Give yourself time, be gentle with yourself. Try to send yourself positive messages about your progress. Negative thoughts are not helpful and they can disrupt your progress. When you have a negative thought acknowledge it and then tell yourself that you are doing your best and you are further today than yesterday. Give yourself some credit!!!

2.     As you feel comfortable, ease back into the activities that you enjoyed before as they become available. Many places are beginning to offer the same activities as before, but now they are outside. Check in with your book club as they may be doing something outside and socially distanced.  As the weather warms up the outdoor possibilities will continue to grow and this may be something you feel more comfortable with.

3.     Start with the activity that you feel most comfortable with.  Start slow and easy! Enjoy taking your dog for a hike? Does this give you the least anxiety of all the activities? Then we know where you are starting!

4.     Remember to continue to utilize all safety precautions and follow the NYS and CDC guidelines.  With everything changing it is important to do your research. Try not to feel pressured by what others may be doing! Some people feel more comfortable with different levels of social interaction and you must do what you feel comfortable with! If someone you love can’t respect that then it might be time to have a discussion on boundaries 😊

-Victoria Britton, LCSW Senior Clinical Therapist at SLMW