It's been over a year since the COVID-19 pandemic came and disrupted life as we knew it.  This pandemic has brought uncertainty about jobs and life in general.  Unfortunately, because of restrictions that kept us isolated from friends and family for so long, it has also brought about a surge in mental illness, specifically anxiety and depression.  As humans, we need that connection with people.  We were not meant to be isolated from one another for too long. 

While some people have dealt with the decline of their mental health while having these restrictions put in place, some are now feeling anxious about their state fully reopening and easing these restrictions as vaccinations are underway.  In Georgia, pretty much all restrictions have been lifted.  We technically don't need to space out any tables in restaurants, though some still choose to do so, and the mask mandate has been lifted as well.  I'll admit, the lifting of the mask mandate has me feeling anxious as well.  Not everyone is vaccinated and this virus is still raging in some parts of the world.  

The Anxiousness of Going Outside

For some of us, returning back to life as we knew it is a welcome reprieve from the isolation we have been experiencing during this pandemic.  However, for others, the return to normalcy is something that has brought upon a lot of anxiety and dread.  People who were already dealing with anxiety and social anxiety pre-pandemic had welcomed the lockdown and have actually flourished.  That being said, people without these anxieties have also reported feeling a bit uneasy going back out into the world.   

How some people thriving during the pandemic has brought about their anxiousness returning to normal life

Anxiety is driven by uncertainty and returning to our pre-pandemic life brings quite a few uncertainties.  The COVID vaccines are just one source of these concerns.  Is it safe? What are the long term side effects? How and when will we know what those side effects are?  Not everyone wants to get the vaccine either no matter how much encouragement people are getting to do so.  Despite the research that has been conducted about these vaccines, there are still concerns.  For example, Johnson and Johnson came out with their one-dose vaccine and then found out a small percentage of people had experienced a serious blood clotting problem.  After reviewing the cases of the people who did have these blood clots, health officials deemed the vaccine safe and resumed administering it.  The benefits of getting the vaccine outweighed the risks.  Usually any side effects from a vaccine will show up within the first two months and history has showed us this is true with the oral polio vaccine in the 1960's.  Due to this, public health officials and scientists will continue to monitor the data before, during and after the vaccine has been given to the public. 

For those who had been struggling with their sobriety have found that they have either thrived or relapsed.  For a lot of alcoholics, the loneliness, isolation and loss of AA meetings caused them to relapse.  For others, not having to socialize in bars or places where people may be drinking, has actually been beneficial to their sobriety.  They no longer have to decline drinks and feel anxious about it because they've no longer been put in the position to do so.  The people who found sobriety during quarantine could be very anxious about venturing back out because with socialization comes the temptation for them to drink again.  They're afraid their newfound sobriety could be jeopardized.  

Another concern some people have been having is how to socialize again.  There is this worry that they no longer know how to be social.  Will it be awkward?  What will we talk about? Is there anything to talk about?  Now, people with social anxiety already experience this but people who have always been more outgoing and comfortable in social situations are now finding that they are feeling a little uneasy.  For school-aged adolescents, returning back to school was exciting for them.  They were excited to be back with their friends and return to the classroom.  However, the return wasn't so smooth.  With social distancing in place some children found it hard to "break the ice."  In an article for the New York Times, a senior in high school, Jzayla Sussmann, says she didn't really know how to make new friends anymore but that just being back at school made her very happy.  With the return to school, she also felt like she was motivated to do more.  Having her teachers nearby was a confidence boost and she was able to get more work done.

At the beginning of the pandemic when school's started to close, there was some concern about what the mental health of children would be like but it wasn't until the school's had been closed for some time that parents and psychologist's realized the negative impact this was having on younger people.  The disruption in routine, especially for kids who already suffer from mental health issues, does more harm than good.  With such a huge change, their depression can get worse.  However, children and teenagers who did have anxiety/social anxiety fared better with doing school online.  They didn't have to worry about participating verbally or in group projects that made them feel anxious.  They didn't have to worry about being called on to answer a question in public.  They could just listen and focus and do the work needed to get done.  For these children, going back to the way things were brings back those anxious thoughts and fears of having to be social when they prefer to just sit back and listen.      

The pandemic brought on a whole new way of living that at first was a little hard to come to terms with and get comfortable with but has also brought on new changes that have been beneficial for some.  For example, working from home.  For some, this was great.  There was no commute, no boss hovering over them while they worked, no small talk, they could just do the work in the comfort of their own home.  For others, especially those with kids, it was a little more difficult.  They still had to juggle work and their kids school work but now there was absolutely no help.  There was no relying on them to go to school where the teachers were able to help with the school work and the parents could focus on their work.  That being said, parents enjoyed having more time to spend with their families and with the possibility of them having to go back to the office and their kids go back to school, they will miss the amount of time they were able to spend with their families.    

There are many reasons why people are having a tough time wanting life to return back to normal.  Sobriety, more time with family and the other reasons mentioned above are just a few that touch on this subject.  If you are experiencing anxiousness with going back out into the world after the pandemic, here are some ways to help you deal and cope with that anxiety.

Tips on Dealing with Anxiety

These tips are not only suggestions for dealing with anxiety with covid-related issues but also good for anxiety relief in general.

• Reduce your time focusing on what the media has to say.  Sometimes this brings about unwanted thoughts and fears or exacerbates ones you've already been dealing with.      Constantly checking in with the media can have drawbacks.  It's great to be informed but too much information can be overwhelming and that does nothing to help your anxiety.  Sometimes the media doesn't even have all the facts straight either especially with Covid, a virus we are still very much trying to figure out.
• Focus your energy on things you can control.  Getting organized, starting new projects, a new workout routine, etc.                                                                        Focusing on the things you can control around you will make you feel more in control in general.  Doing little things like organizing your room, closet, etc. and decluttering can help you feel like you have some control of at least one thing and can help with your feelings of anxiety.
• Try breathing exercises and meditation.                                                                   There are many benefits of meditation.  You can reduce your stress, reduce anxiety, it promotes mindfulness and living in the present and reduces negative emotions.  
• Engage in activities you enjoy that lower your stress levels.                                    When you're engaged in activities that you truly enjoy, you tend not to think of the stressors in your life.  In that time, you're happy and living in the moment and doing more of that will be beneficial.
• Take a bath.  You can use epsom salt and essential oils to help relieve stress and anxiety.                                                                                                             Magnesium sulfate, aka epsom salt, is said to be helpful in decreasing anxiety.  It helps with sore muscles and relieve pain.  A deficiency in magnesium sulfate exacerbates anxiety.  Research has shown that taking magnesium can improve brain function which, in turn, helps lessen the symptoms of anxiety.  
• Get creative.                                                                                             Painting, writing, anything creative that brings you joy can help ease your anxiety. In this case, going to a park and going on a walk can help ease you into heading outside sans mask.
• Get moving.                                                                                               Exercise is a proven way to release those endorphins that can help improve your mood and ease stress. 
• Make sure you're getting enough sleep.                                                               A lack of sleep impacts your physical and mental well-being. Try turning off electronics before you head to sleep so you can get to sleep faster. 
• Have a good support system.                                                                         Find someone who you know will be nonjudgmental and will listen and support you in your time of need. 
• Talk to a professional.  They're here to help you and can help you with anxiety-reducing coping mechanisms. 

Some more tips on easing back into society by Deepak Chopra

Anxiety is not fun.  I've suffered with anxiety for years and those thoughts just really creep up on you and it's really hard to get out of your head when you focus so much on those thoughts.  It's easier said than done sometimes to focus on anything else though but you have to.  Dwelling isn't going to help, it'll only make it worse.  Focus on the things you can control and try to free your mind of intrusive thoughts by focusing your energy on something else.  It takes time to do this but you definitely can.  If you find that you're just having a really hard time, it's time to seek some professional help.  Your mind will thank you and you will be on your way to a happier you!