- According to experts, as the COVID-19 pandemic eases, some people may have difficulty adjusting to a post-COVID life.
- People may have valid complaints about socializing or being in crowded places, which they should recognize.
- People can acclimate by making specific plans and gradually re-entering society.
We were hunkered down in quarantine a year ago, dreaming of the day we’d be able to dive into the life experiences we savour.
We thought back then that the taste of freedom would be so sweet: we’d hug everyone.
We are now on the cusp of a fully open society, with ballgames in full swing, concerts on the rise, and masks no longer required in most places for vaccinated people.
Anyone else feels a little hesitant when they think about the things we yearned for so much?
If so, you are not alone.
Some people are restarting their lives. Others struggle with everything from sitting in a movie theatre to walking into a store without a mask, flying on a crowded plane, and even bumping into a friend on the street.
How To Adjust To A Post-Covid Life?
The truth is that getting back to normal will take some time. And things may never be exactly as they were before the pandemic. As you look at this difficulty, it is important to understand how you can bring yourself back into society in a way that fits your needs.
1. Watch Your Pace
Regardless of how excited you are, it will be beneficial to ease yourself into new activities and provide a buffer between them. The types of stimulation you’ve been deprived of for a year may have made you physically and psychologically exhausted. Don’t try too many new things at once. And don’t overbook your schedule if you’ve become used to a lack of structure. Make time to process and adjust to a post-COVID life after each new boundary you’ve crossed. And be honest with yourself about whether you’re moving too quickly. Even die-hard extroverts may be surprised at how tired they become after even a little social activity.
2. Start Re-Establishing Your Old Routine
Whether you’ve been working from home or spending more time with your family, our daily lives are looking different than they used to. Re-establishing your old routine, such as going to bed earlier, is a great way to help ease you back into normality.
When things start to return to ‘normal,’ it can be helpful to re-establish familiar former routines. However, it may also be a good time to reflect on whether you can keep doing some of the things you’ve been doing differently. Was there anything that helps make things more streamlined and dynamic if you’ve been working remotely?
3. Communicate Clearly
Much as it was helpful to explain boundaries clearly throughout the last year when there were many differences about what represented an acceptable risk, it will continue to be important for you to keep those same concepts in mind going forward.
- Don’t be scared to say no to things you aren’t yet comfortable with;
- Don’t over-personalize differences about what is and isn’t acceptable;
- Listen and talk respectfully when negotiating with friends and family and what is appropriate for gatherings, celebrations, and trips.
When things become heated, pause before speaking and try to notice what’s going on in your body. This allows you to alleviate some of your agitations and calm down before escalating things further.
4. Find A Balance
Because of workplace changes, you may be able to talk to your boss about incorporating more telework into your schedule in the future. For many introverts, this can be a great way to keep some of the benefits of working from home.
Of course, not everyone has the option of working from home, changing jobs, starting their own business, or finding another way to maintain their work-from-home lifestyle. It’s also important to remember that such choices might cause stress and adjustment periods on their own.
The decision to continue telecommuting may lead to extra upheaval and life changes. So it is important to assess the potential costs and advantages before making such a decision.
5. Welcome Your Feelings, As An Observer
Observing your body sensations can help you avoid escalating a conflict unnecessarily. Similarly, observing your feelings can help you avoid escalating a conflict needlessly. Be compassionate but realistic about how you feel as you begin to return to your previous way of life. Are you afraid? Do you feel guilty? Is there resentment? Are you excited? Do you have a sense of loss? Disappointment?
Many clients have identified these emotional experiences as reactions. And those reactions are completely natural and reasonable. The more you practice mindfulness techniques such as being gentle and curious about your emotional experience without judging yourself or getting caught up in it, the less it will overburden you with negative feelings, such as shame.
6. Increase Your Self-care
It’s easy to believe that as you make room in your life for more joyful and exciting experiences and break free from what may have felt like monotony, your mind and body will automatically take care of themselves, and you won’t need as much sleep, downtime, healthy eating, or mental health care.
The opposite is more likely—any disruption to what you’ve grown accustomed to can be a toll on the body and mind, even if it’s a welcome one. Prioritize all of the same self-care strategies that were important during the lockdown’s initial stress.
7. Get Rid Of The “Shoulds!” When It Comes To Emotion
Many people are starting to worry about what their life “should” look like. Maybe they’ve been vaccinated but still don’t want to go back to work. Maybe, after talking about how much they missed their pals, they are not especially eager to see them in person. Maybe they were excited at the idea of their first post-vaccination vacation. But it turned out to be a major disappointment, and they regret spending so much money on it. It’s difficult to predict how you’ll feel, but there’s no right or wrong answer. Don’t add to your pressure by believing that you “should” feel a certain way.
8. Plan About Doing The Things You Love Again
Unlike any other, we have been living in a time. So it may take some time to get back into the swing of things after a post-COVID life.
Making a list of simple joys you want to repeat, people you want to see, places you want to travel to, or restaurants you want to dine at is a simple way to help decrease heightened levels of anxiety.
It’s worthwhile to capture the things you’re missing right now, such as going out to eat and visiting friends at their houses. Consider organizing similar events after the post-COVID life, as well as finding virtual alternatives in the interim.
9. Remember That It Will Take Time To Adjust Things
As the lockdown restrictions gradually ease, keep in mind that it will take some time for life to return to normal. And it’s also ok if you take longer than others to acclimate.
In terms of adjusting with change, phased approaches are often preferable to large and sudden ones. It’s also important to acknowledge that some people will not be ready to return to normal life. Many people will feel that their concerns have not been adequately addressed, and a much slower, more gradual reintegration would be appropriate.
