READY, STEADY... FOGO?

FEELING ANXIOUS ABOUT GOING OUTSIDE NOW LOCKDOWN HAS EASED? VICKIMARIE COSSAR ASKS THE EXPERTS FOR ADVICE ON HOW TO GET YOU OUT THE DOOR...

THE past four months have been challenging in so many ways, and yet we have managed to adapt and create a new way of living. However, just as some of us were starting to feel settled, Boris Johnson eased restrictions and we’re allowed to venture out into the big wide world once again. But, over the past few months, the all-too-familiar FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) might have been replaced with a FOGO (Fear Of Going Out). A recent study of 80,000 people by University College London, found that the easing of restrictions in May had already caused an increase in stress levels, and while some will have felt eager to get out again, others will be feeling more anxious. We’ve asked the experts for tips on how to help you make those first steps back to normality.

FEAR LEVEL 1 cautious

‘As humans, we don’t like change,’ says clinical hypnotherapist Fiona Lamb (fionalamb.com). ‘But, we have managed to become comfortable in this new controlled way of living with a stripped-back lifestyle that avoids social activities and contact with friends and family.

‘Everyone is wondering how they will cope post-lockdown as there is still so much uncertainty. The world seems out of control right now and the future is harder to picture. For a lot of people, priorities have drastically shifted, and spending money at restaurants and bars seems pointless.

‘However, it is not good for us to be locked up. We need connection to support our mental health and we should not rely solely on technology for human interaction. It is healthy for us to engage with others, to try new things and to step outside our comfort zone. Isolation can lead to loneliness and can diminish our confidence and self-esteem.

‘It is only ever our imagination trying to predict what could go wrong that