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“I’m scared of relaxing restrictions!”: Protecting our mental health while the world changes yet again

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The dumpster fire that is COVID-19 lockdowns has been hard on all of us – for so many reasons.

 

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But after the initial shock of being ‘locked down’ turns into our ‘new normal’, some of us might find that the easing restrictions feel like a whole new thing to be afraid of. We thought we’d be running towards the metaphorical light at the end of a socially distanced tunnel, but instead we find ourselves approaching with caution.


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When we went into lockdown, our mental health might have taken a beating – particularly those of us already living with complex mental health issues. Symptoms and vulnerabilities might have flared up, as key parts of the recovery we’ve built for ourselves were suddenly out-of-bounds. And we may have found ourselves longing for things to go back to 'normal'.

 

But now that restrictions are actually easing? It might surprise us that we're not feeling as excited as we thought. Yes, the chance to finally see a close friend might fill us with joy – of course it does! But the thought of venturing out into the world again? That can feel scary!

 

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After the initial shock wore off, some of us found that we actually got used to being holed up at home. We found new ways of spending our time, reassessed what was important to us, and found safety in our little cocoons. Transitioning back into society can feel like a huge change all over again, and this can throw us off-kilter.

 

So, whether we're nervous about the coronavirus itself, reluctant to change routine AGAIN, or struggling in some other way – how can we look after our mental health as restrictions ease?

 

Firstly, we can be kind to ourselves. As with the beginning of the pandemic, these are situations none of us are used to facing. There's nothing 'wrong' with us if we're feeling anxious at this time – it's completely normal when going through a big change.

 

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Secondly, we can remember that talking to friends, family or mental health professionals can help us keep perspective and meet our basic needs for connection and belonging.

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And thirdly? It's ok to be cautious and take things slow. If we don't feel comfortable having visitors to our home yet – we don't have to! If we'd still rather shop online than go to the supermarket, that's ok too. Introducing one new element to our routine at a time can help us move at a pace that suits us.

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It's also worthwhile to check in on the people we love. Being there for someone else can give us purpose. If someone in our life is an essential worker, has lost their job or has been struggling with home-schooling children, we can reach out and offer support.

 

Those of us who have faced mental health challenges before COVID-19 may have already developed really great strategies to cope with tough times.

 

We are strong. We are resilient. And we will get through this – one day at a time.


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Let’s continue this conversation in the comments below. How are you feeling about the easing restrictions, and what are you doing to cope?

And if you're new here? Just register here to start chatting in our safe, anonymous (and friendly) online Forums community. 

24 Comments

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Olva
New Contributor

It's a comfort reading this & that my family aren't alone.  My teenager has a chronic disease and is on biologic & immunosuppressant medications.  On top of that a year ago I was rushed to hospital in an ambulance.  I thought I had pneumonia but the doctor thought pulmonary embolism.  It was neither.  It was Influenza A even though I was up to date with the flu shot.  Only after that did I chat to many other healthy younger people who'd been hospitalised at some time with flu.
 So when people belittled COVID-19 off as "no worse than the flu in most cases" I panicked.

My daughter dropped out of school.  She'd missed quite a lot of school because of her condition and wasn't interested in catching up and sitting HSC.  Her Year 12 friends were still finding ways to party even when lockdown was enforced.

my husband and I work from home.  Our 19 year old daughter was "between things" & battling mental health issues leading up to lockdown.

We are a family of anxious introverts and we all discovered we loved the slower pace, being together, finding ways to occupy ourselves.  My daughter's are musicians and threw themselves into songwriting.  I'm an artist and painted.  Everyday I'd walk the dogs and then we'd busy ourselves at home.  Every evening I speak to my 85 year old Dad in London and I hAve spoken to friends overseas on WhatsApp who I haven't chatted to for years.  In this quiet space all our mental health issues have diminished and we have been a very happy family.

Suddenly it's all about to change.  My daughter's friends went protesting on Saturday, out for coffee on Sunday, partying on Monday, back to school on Tuesday.  We don't believe there won't be a second wave at this rate.

It seems like the whole country is celebrating the end of the war when the war isn't over in my family's mind. 
I anticipated we would eventually emerge from the other side of the lockdown.  Maybe September, at best July.  I thought the easing of restrictions would be very slow and cautious.  It's all happening too fast.

This week we've been invited around to people for afternoon teas & dinner parties.  I don't know why.  It's like they feel we need to celebrate some kind of liberation.  It's very difficult to say no.  It's also very difficult to know what the right thing to do is when a family member is immunocompromised.  No one tells you.  
I was mentally doing great going into lockdown.  I'm not doing so great now.  I'm giving it to the end of winter but there's so much pressure.  It's just comforting to know others feel the way my family does

nashy
Senior Contributor

"I was mentally doing great going into lockdown.  I'm not doing so great now.  I'm giving it to the end of winter but there's so much pressure.  It's just comforting to know others feel the way my family does" @Olva Thank you for being so real and honest about your journey.  I am sorry to hear how painful the experience has been and certainly much of your post is understandable. You are very welcome to share your story here in our forums, and many of our community members can provide help and support. You're not alone in this and we are here to listen Heart

Tortoiseshell
Senior Contributor

Hey @Moochmouse @jay2 @Moochmouse @Molliex @Shaz51 @WriterMelb @NatureLover @Judi9877 @Olva @jem80 @Flying_Hams 👋❤️

 

Anxiety around easing restrictions is understandably on a lot of people's minds. How are you all travelling? What's helping you at the moment?

Flying_Hams
Community Guide

Hey thanks for the tag. Just gonna list a couple of things here:

 

I am happy that lockdown is over

I am worried that another lockdown will come

I really don't support antivaxxers and find it hard to sympathise with them

I am worried that I have lost friends due to covid lockdown

I am feeling some pressure not doing things after lockdown as quickly as I thought

Hopefully we can all move on from this 

NatureLover
Community Elder

Hi @Tortoiseshell , nice to see you. 🙂

 

Lockdown has ended here but I'm still cautious. I'm not leaping back into everything like before the pandemic. I'm worried by the fact that everyone will be exposed to Covid at some point from now on...I'm glad of the masks and social distancing still in place for the moment. I'm trying to adjust.