As we enter a new phase of the Covid-19 pandemic, many people feel pressure to return to their pre-pandemic life. Yet despite recent changes in CDC guidelines, reentering the world is fraught with questions and worry. What if I am not ready? Am I alone in feeling this way? It seems like everyone is so excited about being amongst people again. Is there something wrong with me that I am not?
It is important to remember nothing is wrong with being anxious to return to “normal life.” This past year has been a traumatic experience for many of us. We were forced to change our life on a dime. One day we were at our offices, talking to coworkers, taking the subway, going to the movies, having indoor play-dates for our children, and seeing friends. In other words, we were living our lives. Suddenly, that all stopped, and we had to start questioning whether behaviors that we once treated as normal were still safe. Every day recommendations about how to behave in this new Covid world seemed to shift and with it the way we conducted our lives and interacted with others.
With each shift, our nervous system had to adjust to the changing reality. For many of us, this continual need to figure out what was safe put us in a perpetual state of fight, flight, or freeze. Our bodies, our nervous systems, were reacting as if we were under continuous attack. If we let our guard down, we were uncertain what would happen. Every new bit of information was processed as dangerous. Even now, as the danger has begun to pass, our bodies do not know how to channel this additional information. Our bodies don’t know how to find a new state of equilibrium.
Despite the pressure, it is essential to remember that it is okay and necessary to process these new developments. One way to allow your body to adjust to the recent changes is to expose yourself to the world again slowly. Reentry will look different for everyone. Find the things that make you anxious. Each person will have their unique concerns. Some people may fear being outside maskless, while others may be nervous about riding the subway again.
For example, if you are nervous about riding the train again, you can take small steps to let yourself adjust to even being around the subway again. Each person will have to gauge their level of discomfort, but it could look like something as simple as first allowing yourself to go down the stairs to the subway station but not going down to the platform or train. If you feel okay with that, perhaps the next time you try going on the platform but not the train. It is vital that at each phase, you are honest with yourself about how you feel. It is okay to repeat a step. The purpose is to help you find a feeling of safety once again.
Remember, you are not alone. Each one of us is going through this. If you need help adjusting or someone to help process these changes, do not hesitate to seek professional help.
It is important to remember nothing is wrong with being anxious to return to “normal life.” This past year has been a traumatic experience for many of us. We were forced to change our life on a dime. One day we were at our offices, talking to coworkers, taking the subway, going to the movies, having indoor play-dates for our children, and seeing friends. In other words, we were living our lives. Suddenly, that all stopped, and we had to start questioning whether behaviors that we once treated as normal were still safe. Every day recommendations about how to behave in this new Covid world seemed to shift and with it the way we conducted our lives and interacted with others.
With each shift, our nervous system had to adjust to the changing reality. For many of us, this continual need to figure out what was safe put us in a perpetual state of fight, flight, or freeze. Our bodies, our nervous systems, were reacting as if we were under continuous attack. If we let our guard down, we were uncertain what would happen. Every new bit of information was processed as dangerous. Even now, as the danger has begun to pass, our bodies do not know how to channel this additional information. Our bodies don’t know how to find a new state of equilibrium.
Despite the pressure, it is essential to remember that it is okay and necessary to process these new developments. One way to allow your body to adjust to the recent changes is to expose yourself to the world again slowly. Reentry will look different for everyone. Find the things that make you anxious. Each person will have their unique concerns. Some people may fear being outside maskless, while others may be nervous about riding the subway again.
For example, if you are nervous about riding the train again, you can take small steps to let yourself adjust to even being around the subway again. Each person will have to gauge their level of discomfort, but it could look like something as simple as first allowing yourself to go down the stairs to the subway station but not going down to the platform or train. If you feel okay with that, perhaps the next time you try going on the platform but not the train. It is vital that at each phase, you are honest with yourself about how you feel. It is okay to repeat a step. The purpose is to help you find a feeling of safety once again.
Remember, you are not alone. Each one of us is going through this. If you need help adjusting or someone to help process these changes, do not hesitate to seek professional help.
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