Jamie Windust (editor) spoke to the Independent saying \u201cI think what a lot of people will be feeling, myself included, is a fear of not just getting back to the way we used to live, but the mental struggles that come with working at such a fast pace. In the real world there\u2019s the pressure to work constantly, to exercise, to be seen to be having fun.\u201d Considering this, I guess we need to ask ourselves will some of the new freedoms we found in 2020-2021 be lost again as we jump back onto the roller coaster of \u201creal life\u201d?<\/p>\n
For many millions of people, the thought of coming out of lockdown and joining the world again, can be as scary and anxiety provoking than going into our first lockdown in March 2020. Why might this be? Well, consider the \u201cunknown\u201d of the very first lockdown. Questions such as \u201cIs this serious, can I catch it, how can I keep myself and my family safe, how long will it last, I am worried about working from home, will I be able to see my family, what is going to happen longer term?\u201d Now, as we approach the next stage of lockdown lifting and the possibility of the lifting of lockdown completely in June, one could argue that those questions apply again and for many people remain very real concerns.<\/p>\n
Fear and anxiety are possibly the most common emotional responses any of us will feel as we approach the release from lockdown. Finding a way to pull ourselves through lockdown took a lot of our emotional energy and we may have found a place that lets us cope, and that we don\u2019t want to leave behind just yet.<\/p>\n
Just as it took us time to find ways of coping during the first lockdowns, we should also expect that it will take time to find our way back, and to reconnect with life when at each stage of restriction lifting. Things are very unlikely be the same as they were before. How might they be and how can we prepare and \u201cmanage\u201d yet another transition?<\/p>\n
The Mental Health Foundation say \u201cmental health tips: about finding routines, staying connected, eating well, and taking exercise apply just as much now as they did at the start of lockdown \u2013 arguably even more so as we remain in a period of high stress but with more demands on us.\u201d<\/p>\n
Although it might not feel this way, the pandemic has in many ways created more choices, by forcing us all to realise that the established ways of working could be upturned in an instant. \u201cNow there is even more change to consider,\u201d says Cooper-Dickson (accredited coach and founder of mental wealth consultancy, CHAMPS) who believes that we shouldn\u2019t see post-lockdown as a case of automatically and unquestioningly adapting back to our old realities but moving to new ones if the old ways weren\u2019t working. Many organisations may be looking to adopt a more person focussed way to working where people are in the office only two-three days a week, rather than five. Talk with your manager\/employer re any concerns you have in relation in return to the office environment. Try to be as honest with them as possible.<\/p>\n
The speed at which each of us adapts will vary from person to person. Cooper-Dickson advises \u201ctaking it at your own pace and focusing on what you can control\u201d. Even if the country is on track for all restrictions to be dropped by 21 June, doesn\u2019t mean you have to jump right into social commitments.<\/p>\n
\u201cEven though we might be really excited to meet up with friends, we could feel a little out of our comfort zone for\u00a0a while as we get used to it again.\u201d<\/p>\n
Take it at your own pace and focus on what you can control.<\/p>\n
Those with continued uncertainty can \u201clook at the small steps you can take to create your own mini routines or structures at home,\u201d when lockdown restrictions are eased,\u201d<\/p>\n
The 9-5 may no longer be the norm, but hopefully we will take positives from the pandemic and we can slowly relearn to converse face-to-face, build our confidence back up and return to the \u201cnew normal\u201d whatever that may be.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s important to remember that you won\u2019t be alone in feeling end-of-lockdown anxiety. There are so many other people who feel exactly as you do. And so try not to be hard on yourself if you are struggling \u2013 the pandemic has been, and continues to be, a really significant and disruptive, challenging and \u201clife altering\u201d time of our lives.<\/p>\n
If you feel you may need some support, you can contact Care first. Care first is a leading provider of confidential, professional counselling, information and advice services. All employees are eligible to use Care first, our services include; telephone counselling, information services and online support. Call Care first on the Freephone number provided by your organisation and you can speak to a professional in confidence.<\/p>\n
Some of the information sourced for this article was originally published by the below links. If you would like to access this and further information in more detail please follow the links below \u2013<\/p>\n
If you would like to view the Webinar on \u2018Easing of Lockdown Anxiety\u2019 this is being delivered live on Wednesday 19th May at 12:00pm, please use the following link to register for this session \u2013<\/p>\n
https:\/\/attendee.gotowebinar.com\/register\/3821907230972324624<\/a><\/p>\n If you are unable to join the webinar live, a recording of the session can be accessed using the same link above after the webinar has taken place.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Has Lockdown lifting got you more scared and anxious than excited? Jamie Windust (editor) spoke to the Independent saying \u201cI think what a lot of people will be feeling, myself included, is a fear of not just getting back to … Continue reading