How To Adjust To Restrictions Easing
The past 18 months have been a wild ride! For those of us in Victoria, Australia, we will have spent over 250 days in lockdown since the COVID-19 pandemic begun. It has been a rollercoaster (aka known as the coronacoaster), navigating a whole host of emotions day to day, week to week. Not knowing when it will all end and wondering if there is a light at the end of this dark pandemic tunnel.
For many of us the reality of lockdowns ending, restrictions easing and borders opening up can bring up conflicting emotions. Some more pleasant and bright (maybe you’re jumping for joy?), while others might take you by surprise. Whatever you’re experiencing know this. It’s completely normal to be feeling one or many emotions at this time. Our bodies, minds and nervous systems have taken quite a hit. It’s going to take a while for us to emerge and allow our nervous systems to reintegrate and settle once more.
If you’re coming out of lockdown and as restrictions continue to ease, you may be feeling:
Relief
Excitement
Hope
Pride
Overwhelm
Anxiety
Fear
Uncertainty
Unmotivated
Out of control
Sadness or grief
Worry
All of the above and more or something else entirely!
It’s also completely normal to go between one or more of these emotions at different times. You may feel relief and hope that you can get back to doing the things you enjoy like travelling outside of 15km, getting your hair cut and going to yoga but also feel a sense of anxiety about seeing people again or you or your family catching COVID-19. You might be feeling anger at the length and impact of the restrictions on you personally, financial stress or overwhelm at having to reopen your business, yet a sense of pride you got through it and hope that there is an end in sight.
Perhaps you’re feeling pressure to get it all done and the need for things to be organised before things go completely back to normal. Guilt that you didn’t quite manage to Marie Kondo the whole house or even clean out the pantry! Perhaps you’re feeling cosy in your smaller world and don’t feel ready to face the post-lockdown world just yet. Perhaps you’re too exhausted to care or even know how to feel. You’re just keeping your head above water, trying to stop the kids from fighting and resettle them back to school.
All of these feelings are normal and valid. It might help to remember too that your close friends, family and neighbours experience of easing restrictions may be completely different. Their experience and their feelings are also normal and valid - even if significantly different to your own.
Emerging from lockdown or not, you can try these simple strategies to make the transition smoother.
Extend yourself some kindness. Place your hands over your heart and remind yourself you’re doing the best you can and we’re living through a pandemic. Remind yourself you are resilient and capable.
Notice and name how you’re feeling. Tune in and ask yourself “what is it I’m feeling right now?” Name the emotion/s. Notice if you feel it in a particular area of your body.
Pause. Take a few conscious breaths into the belly. Notice the sensation of air entering and leaving your body. Notice how good it feels to be alive.
Get out in nature. Feel the sun on your face, notice the sounds and joys of nature. Be grateful for this freedom, the warmer weather and the beauty around you.
Practice self care. Do something nice just for you. Take a bath, put your feet up, read a chapter of your favourite book, roll out your yoga mat, bake or just be.
Be present. Take a look around you, notice 5 things you see, 4 things you feel or can touch, 3 things you can hear, 2 things you taste, 1 thing you can smell. Bring gentle awareness to this moment now.
Journal. Transitions like these can be a great time for reflection. Write down what’s on your mind, stream of consciousness style, or use these questions as a guide:
What have I enjoyed most about lockdown?
What have been the biggest challenges?
What am I most excited about doing, who am I most excited about seeing once things reopen?
What positive habits or pleasant experiences do I want to keep cultivating or remember from this period of my life?
What less healthy habits do I want to leave behind?
What did I learn about myself from this time that surprised me?
What do I want my life to look like from here?
Acknowledging we have been through an extremely testing time helps. Feel into the uncertainty and trust that just as you’ve got through the last 18 months, you will get through the coming months too.
Slow down, savour this emergence back into the known (and unknown). Notice what it feels like to be back in the company of friends, visiting your favourite places, running your hands through freshly cut hair, sitting having a coffee or tea at your favourite cafe, watching the world go by once again.
If you need support at this time, there is help available.
Book a discovery call to find out how I can help you navigate transitions, manage stress and create the life you desire as we emerge from restrictions.
Remember Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 13 11 14.
Beyond Blue’s Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service is available on 1800 512 348.