University of Kent Occupational Health and Wellbeing Manager, Brenda Brunsdon<\/p>\n
On Sunday night we were told by the Prime Minister that the lockdown is being eased within an ongoing framework of social distancing.\u00a0 There was also a suggestion that people should go back to work if they can\u2019t work from home.<\/p>\n
Lifting the lockdown and the subsequent increased movement of people socially may trigger more concern and anxiety for many people.<\/p>\n
If you are someone who feels they need support at this time, there is up to date information on the University\u2019s communications pages on what is available and where to access this: https:\/\/staff.kent.ac.uk\/news\/22760\/supporting-your-wellbeing-during-covid-19<\/a><\/p>\n In addition, reach out to your manager.\u00a0 Trigger a COPE discussion<\/a> with them, if you haven\u2019t already engaged in one, or suggest a review of it if you have.<\/p>\n It\u2019s okay to be uncertain about increasing activity, the same way as it was okay to be concerned about the lockdown causing restricted activity.\u00a0 The background to all this is the threat from the coronavirus and that remains and will continue to cause anxiety for some.<\/p>\n To be able to function better, we can recognise our fears and challenge ourselves as to how valid they are.\u00a0 It\u2019s about doing our own risk assessment.\u00a0 Ordinarily, we all do things which have an element of risk eg, drive cars, fly in aircrafts, walk across a road, commit to others in relationships.\u00a0 We cope because we assess the risk and deem it to be acceptable and manageable.\u00a0 The author Mark Twain said: “Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear, not absence of fear.”<\/p>\n Below are some links to articles and webpages with information on post-lockdown stress and dealing with fears and anxiety at a wider level; you might find them useful:<\/p>\n \u2018Post Lockdown Anxiety\u2019: Anxiety UK blog article<\/a><\/p>\n \u2018Post-lockdown anxiety?\u2019: Natalie Cornish; Redonline<\/a><\/p>\n \u2018You Are The Only Thing You Can Control Right Now & That\u2019s OK\u2019: Jess Commons; Refinery 29<\/a><\/p>\n \u20183 simple tricks from a psychologist to instantly calm anxiety over the news\u2019: Natalie Cornish; Redonline<\/a><\/p>\n \u2018Overcoming Fear\u2019: Z. Hereford; EssentialLifeskills.net<\/a><\/p>\n