Coping with Covid Re-Entry
There has been a clear theme this week with clients: the feelings that come along with re-entering the world as Covid lessens. We’ve talked boundaries, body image, anxiety and pacing. I’m sharing all of it below.
TOOLS
First, let’s re-address boundaries.
Many of you have shared how while Covid was isolating and hard to not see loved ones, it also allowed for you to prioritize your immediate family’s needs and your personal needs.
As people are becoming vaccinated, expectations are starting to pile back on. Many of you are talking about experiencing a visceral reaction as invites to parties, visits from parents and kid’s activities are resuming.
So I say: listen to your reaction. Use your body as a tool. Are you feeling encroached upon? Are you feeling protective? Are you feeling that familiar people-pleasing to resurface?
You’ve been given an opportunity to not have to explain yourself this past year when you do not commit to things.
Lean hard into seeing “no” as a full sentence. If it’s not a FULL BODY YES, it’s a no. Remind people of your boundaries. Reestablish priorities within your household.
Just because the world is reopening doesn’t mean you have to rush to fill your world back up.
GRATITUDE
For many of us Covid brought a very real change of pace. Sometimes rapid pace as we juggled childcare, work and school. Other times we’ve had very quiet weekends and slow family dinner nights.
But one key take-away is that as we look to re-enter to “normal”, doing nothing is still very, very important. In fact, a recent study was done about what are the basic tenants for happiness. Of the participants polled, researchers identified three things:
Sleep, Helping Others and Gratitude.
Rest is essential for healing, cultivating mental and physical repair and helping creative flow. Helping others gives us purpose, satisfaction and drive. Gratitude allows us to be content and present.
INNOVATION
There has been an expectation that during the trauma, chaos and stress of Covid that we were supposed to have learned another language, lost 15 pounds, learned how to bake bread, maintained straight As, gotten promoted at work, started a meditation practice and read a book a month.
As a 90’s sitcom actor would say, “As if!”.
But seriously, these expectations, during a global crisis, are ludicrous. And if you are holding any of these truly unrealistic expectations for yourself or others, please let them go.
I find it just as ridiculous as expecting women to “get their bodies back” immediately postpartum. Although I know I should feel pressure to look my best after having a baby and living through a pandemic this last year, I’m not about to play into the body shaming diet culture. I’m over it. I’m over the attempts to keep us obedient, disciplined and constantly trying to obtain some default, idealized picture of health.
So, perhaps innovative or perhaps just common sense, I urge you to look at the expectations you place on yourself and others and figure out what you can reject and let go.
FEELS
Social anxiety has also been a hot topic as people are starting to gather again. Networking events, weddings, birthday parties, work and in-person school! Ah!
It’s important to acknowledge the natural awkwardness of seeing people again. Do you hug? Should I stand 6 ft apart? How can I show people I’m vaccinated which is why I’m mask-less at the park? (Okay that one was personal!).
Also, fears about being too cautious or not cautious enough, being uncomfortable in large settings, nervous going to a group event are all very real feelings.
It’s important to label your experience. See your anxiety and address it. “Hi anxiety, thank you for being here. You’ve been really essential the last year. I’m ready to re-enter and I understand you’re here to protect me. Thank you, but I think I’m okay”. Yes, I mean literally have a conversation with it.
Also, try grounding practices. We have a few up on our YouTube channel for you to try.
This is going to be hard. Do not negate the trauma and stress of the last year and it’s impact on your mental health. There will be lasting anxiety that carries on for some time. Not sure if you have anxiety? Watch my latest video about what anxiety feels and looks like.
Lastly, be gentle, kind and patient with yourself during this season. We are all emerging from something very, very challenging.
Click here to learn more about anxiety counseling.
