How to support others who are struggling with re-entry in the world after COVID-19

Human life has been drastically and abruptly altered by the COVID-19 pandemic. Getting back to the people and things we love after the lockdown has given us a chance to adjust, but it has also presented challenges. Being able to reconnect with the people and things we love after the lockdown feels like a new start to our lives. However, it might not be a cup of tea for some. Our lives are intertwined with the new normal, introducing us to new routines.

There is a certain comfort in things being the way they were and reverting to that sometimes feels stressful. Sudden changes in lifestyle have made people anxious. Readjusting back to our normal lives, even though it is a positive change may be agonizing for some individuals.

Feelings of anxiety are likely to pass with time as we get accustomed to the “new normal”. But it's also crucial for us to take care of our mental health.  Re-entry after a long period of time can make you feel anxious for multifarious reasons.

You may experience feelings of : 

●      Disconnectedness

●      Fear of rejection

●      Fear of being infected with Covid-19

As we begin to return to the lives we lived before the pandemic, many of us are experiencing re-entry anxiety. 

What іs re-entry fear? 

Re-entry fear refers to the fear that can come with giving up the security measures that protected us during the COVID-19 pandemic and our re-entry into a world changed by the virus. 

Thіѕ fear can manifest as an unwillingness to return to pre-pandemic practices, such as going to large in-person meetings wіthout a face mask. Or іt can reveal feelings of discomfort, sadness, or insecurity. 

It's important to note that any transition can bring some anxiety, even transitions that we expect that bring positive change. Until the irregularity disappears, іt іs very understandable and "normal" to feel bad. 

Symptoms to watch out for include: 

·      Sleeping problems (a lot or a little) 

·      Changes іn food or appetite (including weight gain or loss) 

·      Sadness and/or crying often 

·      Anger or irritability 

·      Social withdrawal 

·      Frequent disturbing thoughts 

·      Panic attacks (intense physiological symptoms that often feel like a health emergency) 

·      Difficulty enjoying things that normally make you feel good 

·      Feelings of low self-esteem 

·      Difficulty concentrating or staying on task 

·      Agitation or restlessness 

Ways to Overcome Fear of Return  

Embrace curiosity and validate their feelings: Engage in active listening and ask open questions to find out more about other's feelings and thoughts. 

Enlist Support :Distracting from your problems by talking to and hanging out with others that encourage socializing. It may help them overcome their re-entry fears to surround themselves with people who understand and will gently guide them forward.

Exploring positives and make lists: Whether it's shopping at their favourite store, going to a book club іn person, travelling or dating, have them write down what they would like to come back to. Having some motivation for the activities and lifestyle they want can help overcome the fear of participating іn them. 

Noticing and writing thoughts: A diary or journal can help you explore your feelings when you are worried or upset.  The method can also be used to keep track of your mood over time and to remind yourself of your progress. Once you gain more confidence, you can look back at your entries to see how far you've come.

Mindfullness: It's easy to get bogged down in the past and the future when there's a lot of change taking place. Do not focus on what you "should" have done or what could have been done, but on what is happening right now - make plans but do not dwell on what might have been or what might have been. A good way to focus on the present is to relax, to practice mindfulness, or to get outside and enjoy nature.

Offer reassurance: It's not always possible to solve someone's problems, but they may just need to feel understood and supported.

Seek professional help: In most cases, the fear of getting back into the rhythm of things will fade as they adapt to a new, normal way of living; however, if they continue to struggle with the fear of getting back into the rhythm of things, which affects their relationships or daily functioning, then it might be time to seek professional help. Sometimes we develop an unfounded fear or get stuck in a loop that, on closer inspection, is not relevant. If they are having difficulty getting back to work, it may be necessary to work with a professional.