Re-Entry Anxiety. The Struggle is Real!
With advancements in medicine, vaccines for COVID-19 are now available and have been distributed to more than 87.6 million Americans. This means more people are venturing out and enjoying the people, places, and things they have missed out on for the past year. But for some, the idea of leaving the comfort and safety of home is stressful. The idea of moving around in the world in the midst of an unseen virus can be daunting and debilitating.
A recent study by the American Psychiatric Association showed that nearly 50% of Americans say they feel anxious about resuming in-person interactions post-pandemic. This phenomenon is so pervasive, it has been dubbed “re-entry anxiety.” For some, re-entry will be as easy as a walk in the park. Others may find it a bit more challenging.
What can you do if you are struggling with re-entry anxiety?
Understand that what you are feeling is normal. These are unusual times and anxiety presents itself for different reasons. For some, it is a fear of contracting and possibly spreading COVID-19 to their loved ones. Others may find it challenging to re-engage in social interactions. Others may have experienced trauma such as losing a loved one to COVID-19. Completely unrelated to pandemic re-entry anxiety, there are those who are dreading Brood X; the 17-year cicadas that will soon emerge in the billions!
Take small steps.
You may find it helpful to have a friend or family member who can support you as you re-enter the world. You can do simple things like walk your neighborhood or local park while practicing social distancing and wearing a mask. Remember, avoidance in the short term can be effective. However, long-term avoidance can reinforce the notion that everything is a threat which can increase your symptoms of anxiety.
Share what you are feeling.
Talk to your family and friends about the anxiety you are feeling. You might find that others are struggling as well. This can be an opportunity to provide mutual support and encourage resilience.
Be proactive and get the vaccine.
This can go a long way to ease your fears of getting the virus and potentially spreading it to your loved ones. If you are hesitant about getting the vaccine, understanding what it does and does not do can help you make an informed decision. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) is a great resource to find current information about all the vaccines available. The CDC reports that the vaccines are safe and effective, they protect people from getting sick or severely ill with COVID-19 and might also help protect people around them. The CDC also dispels common myths about the vaccines.
Be aware of your physical and mental health.
Many people have experienced negative impacts on their physical and mental health because of the pandemic. This can include things like difficulty sleeping, poor eating habits that contribute to weight gain, an increase in the use of alcohol or drugs, and an overall deterioration of mental wellness.
Help is available if you need it. If you are struggling with the impact of the pandemic or with re-entry anxiety, the counselors at LifeSpring Counseling Services are available to help you.
As we re-enter the world after an extended period of social isolation and time at home, we can expect some challenges. It’s important that you’re paying attention to how you’re feeling both physically and emotionally as you consider engaging in activities that used to be part of everyday life. Consider the steps that you can take to make yourself feel safer or more comfortable as you begin to re-engage in life outside your home.
Search Our Other Blogs!
Interested in Counseling for COVID-19 Related Anxiety, Stress, and Worry?
If you’re a Marylander who knows that counseling is the direction you need to take, the therapists at LifeSpring Counseling Services are here to help. We offer online counseling services for mindfulness, depression, anxiety, trauma, and grief and loss. We also offer Brainspotting as a specialized service, and Brainspotting can be done online, too!
Here’s how you can get started! Online counseling for COVID-19 related anxiety, stress, and worry aren’t the only services offered at our Maryland office
The counselors and social workers at our Maryland office also offer counseling services for trauma, grief and loss, boundary setting, communication skills, and difficult life transitions. We also offer specialized counseling services including Brainspotting and spiritually-integrated counseling. Because we are located next to several local universities, we also work with college students and international students.
Written By: Irene Burks, LGPC
Photo credit: Ivan Samkov, Anna Shvets, and Alex Green on Pexels
Date of Download: 5/3/2021
