Any anxiety over the future is normal
For many people, the initial feelings of heightened anxiety, panic and entrapment as we went into lockdown slowly transitioned into a comfortable and predictable new norm –
The Lockdown Bubble.
For a large proportion of society who are not at the frontline of tackling this pandemic, and who have observed the unfolding of events from the safety of their own homes, the threat for these people has been ‘out there’.
Now, as we approach the time to emerge from this bubble, we’ll all be feeling a mixture of excitement and anxiety.
Obvious excitement about having restrictions lifted and seeing our family and friends again, while at the same time anxiety about what life post-pandemic will be like.
It’s natural and totally acceptable for us to be worrying about this next phase and how our own life and the lives of loved ones have been, and will continue to be, affected by the pandemic.
The human mind is trained to problem-solve and greatly dislikes uncertainty.
One major thing that people are struggling with just now is the uncertainty about what this emergence will look like and how aspects of society will have been changed, both temporarily and permanently, by the pandemic.
Our threat systems will be activated, just as they were prior to going into lockdown. Fears of catching the virus may reappear.
During lockdown, we have been forced to become acutely aware of others around us and the importance of keeping at a distance from them. So the inevitability of having more people around us once we emerge will likely spike anxiety levels, similar to how we felt in the lead-up to lockdown.
Adults returning to work will likely feel apprehension about returning to their daily commute and re-engaging with their work colleagues.
And, of course, for the most vulnerable in our society, contracting the virus will remain a major threat until a vaccine is produced and it will be expected that anxiety levels will remain higher for these people.
We are also likely to be hit with the reality of the economic and social consequences experienced and have understandable concerns about the direct impact on our own life and those of our loved ones.
Feelings of loss will also be common among those who have lost loved ones, jobs and businesses over the last few months.
The important thing to remember is that this will be an adjustment period for us all.
It will take time to adjust to coming out of lockdown in the same way it took time to adjust going into it.
Our anxiety levels should decrease in the weeks after we emerge but, if they don’t, it’s important to talk openly to a trusted family member or friend about these feelings.
It will also be important to seek professional help if you are feeling very distressed by these worries and recognise that you are continuing to avoid engaging with others and reconnecting with daily life.
Try to focus on the positives of connecting again with family, friends and the wider community.
My advice would be to take small steps in the emerging process. Small adjustments first so as to not overwhelm yourself or your senses.