In spring 2020, those conversations were panic-stricken, rife with grief, and full of uncertainty. Then, as time marched on and the reality of our “new normal” set in, conversations began to pivoting to topics like coping, making the best of what we have, and trying to keep others safe. From dealing with varying comfort levels among friends and family to managing anxiety in large crowds to balancing fuller social calendars, here are some tips for how to best move forward—while keeping your personal mental health needs and compassion for others front and center. With the end of this torturous roller coaster in sight, many of us are trying to figure out what life will look like after COVID-19 and how we ought to transition to this new reality. “Even before the pandemic, depression, anxiety, and attention-related disorders were already at epidemic levels—not to mention chronic stress and burnout,” says Cortland Dahl, PhD, a Buddhist scholar and research scientist for the Center for Healthy Minds. “The toll the pandemic has taken on our mental health is likely to carry forward, long after we reach a level of herd immunity and we are physically safe.” There’s a silver lining, though. First, this experience is collective; you’re not alone in your thoughts and feelings. Additionally, Dr. Dahl says that people are aware of the mental health crisis more than ever and that resources are widely accessible. Even if you don’t explicitly feel beat down or burnt out, taking advantage of these resources and prioritizing your mental health can only bring good things. Explore meditation apps, take up a yoga practice, explore in-person or online therapy, and talk with others who are very likely experiencing similar thoughts and feelings to your own. “It will be harder for some than others to simply flip a switch from ‘lockdown mode’ to normalcy within a period of weeks after being fully vaccinated,” notes Sanam Hafeez, PsyD, a neuropsychologist and faculty member at Columbia University. “For those who fall into the latter group, [it’s important] to take baby steps to reintegrate themselves into their former social and work lives.” To that end, Dr. Dahl stresses that this transition—whatever it might look like—will require a great deal of patience, sensitivity, and understanding. “None of us has been through this before, so none of us will really know what our first party or our first time in a crowded public space will be like until we’re right in the middle of things,” he says. Dr. Dahl suggests taking note of when you compare yourself to others and recognize that the best path forward is the one that works for you—not your neighbor. Consider this phase an opportunity to build empathy and self-awareness and strengthen your connection to your core values. This includes social events, travel, shopping, and dining out. Instead of making your first outing a packed bar or a trip to Vegas, start with an outdoor restaurant during non-peak hours. “It’s a matter of gradually exposing yourself to a situation you think you fear (or you know you fear) to see that nothing ‘bad’ is going to happen," says Dr. Hafeez. “Once you gain confidence from the smaller situation, you can move on to a larger situation,” “Be as honest and open as you can about how you are feeling emotionally and why you have to decline a certain situation at this time,” she says. “If you speak to the host, at least they feel you are making some effort to attend, and you are explaining why the indoor situation makes you uncomfortable.” And sure, you might get a response that’s not as compassionate as you’d like. Practicing understanding here is important, too. It helps to reassure the invitee that you miss them or that you’re really looking forward to seeing them when you’re feeling more at ease. “There are some very solid, evidence-based strategies for managing anxiety, including the fear and panic we might feel when we find ourselves out in public in social spaces again. One very powerful method is called ‘de-centering,’ which is a key ingredient of mindfulness,” says Dr. Dahl. He elaborates, “Paradoxically, the point is to accept [your anxieties] and explore them, rather than trying to get rid of them. For instance, we might notice the feelings in our body when our threat response gets triggered, or that there is a flood of fearful thoughts churning through our mind.” “As we move back into our social relationships and interactions, it will be very important to know our limits and boundaries,” says Dr. Dahl. “If we push too far, too fast, it might set us back. On the other hand, some degree of discomfort is healthy and normal. The key will be to trust ourselves and know when to push forward and when to back off.” Follow Now: Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Google Podcasts Be mindful of your anxieties and get curious about them so you can overcome them, and award others grace and compassion as they figure out their own way to move forward. “If we handle this well, our transition back to ’normal’ life has the potential to be a tremendous learning experience,” says Dr. Dahl. The information in this article is current as of the date listed, which means newer information may be available when you read this. For the most recent updates on COVID-19, visit our coronavirus news page.
