More freedom on the way ...
... but what if lockdown easing tomorrow makes you feel anxious?
AS the latest stage of lockdown easing approaches, many of us are feeling a sense of hope and relief. Most people will have a pub garden booked, a hairdressers appointment, or plans to hit the shops tomorrow.
But for some, the notion of lockdown lifting is not bringing excitement, but instead a sense of anxiety and loneliness.
We spoke to three people who are worried about the latest stage of the road map, and what it might mean for their mental and physical health.
A 32-year-old single mum from Worsley, who wished to remain anonymous, said the thought of lockdown easing is making her feel ‘really nervous.’
“I have a four year-old son so I didn’t generally have the best social life anyway,” she said.
“There was something quite nice about lockdown in that everyone was in the same boat and you don’t have to look at social media and think about what you’re missing out on.
“I have been really anxious about people meeting up again and experiencing that loneliness.”
The mum says she has spoken to other people in their early 30’s who have reported feeling a similar sense of isolation.
“Lockdown has stopped these feelings when you’re on your own and everyone you know is in the pub or out having fun,” she said.
“I am starting to see people’s social life on social media again and I really hate it.
“I would be quite happy to stay in lockdown.”
She says she is also feeling reluctant to resume her daily commute from Manchester to Liverpool, after spending the last year working from home.
Having more time at home means she’s been able to spend more time with her young son, instead of using a child minder.
“I feel very anxious about going back to work as I have a very regressive employer who wants everyone back in five days a week,” she said.
“I just don’t want to go back to that way of living. I am very happy to stay at home.
“Before my son would have to go to a childminder after school so I would probably see him for about an hour a day.
“We have had such a lovely time together at such a crucial time in his life.”
The woman says she has felt less lonely during lockdown, because of the collective feeling that everyone was in the same position.
She said that seeing posts on social media of people out enjoying themselves has left her feeling isolated and lonely.
“I think lockdown has really helped me because nobody was really doing anything,” she added.
“The anxiety is thinking about what all my friends are doing and the things I won’t be able to go to.
“You feel more lonely when everyone is out doing more things. I am not missing out on anything at the moment because nobody is doing anything.”
The mum says she also feels anxious about the prospect of socialising with new people again.
“I feel like I’ve got really bad at chit chat with people I don’t know that well,” she said.
“I used to think I was quite good at speaking to colleagues but now I feel like my social skills have really taken a nosedive.”
Paige Wilmot, 28, from Stockport said she too is anxious about meeting new people after having over a year of minimal socialising.
“It’s like having to learn all those social skills again which is daunting,” she said.
The mum-of-two, who also has three step children, has just given birth to a baby daughter, and says she is anxious about bringing Covid into her home.
During lockdown she has also been diagnosed with a borderline personality disorder, meaning she is feeling a heightened sense of anxiety and irritability.
“I am quite anxious about going out into the new world and I think a lot of people aren’t taking this seriously anymore,” she said.
“I now have a two month old baby and introducing her to the world is concerning me as well.
“I think my anxiety has actually felt heightened a lot more coming out of lockdown than it did going into it.”
Paige says she is worried about being judged by her friends for not wanting to go out and socialise, as she is still wanting to keep a cautious approach as lockdown eases.
Her partner is classed as vulnerable, and she also cares for her grandmother who is ‘high risk.’
“I do get that people want to get back to normal and I feel anxious that my friends are going to judge me for not wanting to go out to the pub,” she said.
“It all scares me so much I’ll probably stay in most of the time.”
Paige believes the latest easing of restrictions has come too soon, and worries that the risk of contracting Covid-19 is still very real.
“The fact that by June we will
supposedly be back to normal seems crazy to me,” she said.
“I am anxious about the prospect of my elder children going back out with their friends as you just don’t know what they could be bringing home.”
Simon Byrne, 25, from Bury graduated from university in 2019 and says he has found the last 12 months particularly difficult.
“I had been looking for graduate jobs but then Covid hit and everything shut down so it’s been really difficult since then,” he said.
“I am very split because on the one hand I want things to open up, but there is also massive anxiety for me about going back to doing normal stuff.”
Simon, who has underlying health conditions, says he is particularly worried about being in a big crowd, or using public transport.
“I am still really worried about being exposed to Covid or catching it and passing it on to someone else,” he said. “During the first lockdown I wouldn’t do anything, not even go to the shops.
“One of the issues I am finding now is how far away to look when applying for jobs because I am worried about having to get on public transport every day.”
Simon has received his first dose of the AstraZeneca jab, but says the latest news surrounding the vaccine and risk of blood clots, has added to his anxiety.
“I’ve had health anxiety for a while but that has got worse during the pandemic,” he said.
“I do think we need to try and get things open as soon as we can but it is quite hard when you have anxiety about it.”