It's been a long time coming, but lockdown restrictions are finally beginning to ease. We've seen some tough times in the last few years and it's important that we all take care of ourselves now that things are getting back to 'normal'. This blog post will give you some tips on how to continue looking after your mental health during lockdown easing - including wearing masks when appropriate, seeking help when you need it most and being assertive if you require any extra space from other people.
From July 19th many of the lockdown restrictions will no longer apply. This easing of restrictions for some, brings new complications. Especially as the media, scientists and the government all have different opinions on how the UK should proceed. With so much information available, it can quickly become overwhelming.
It took time to get used to the changes as we went into lockdown, so it may be just as difficult for some people to transition out of the lockdown. The important thing to remember is to be kind to yourself. Do not judge yourself by comparing yourself to others. Take every day at your own pace.
Take each day as it comes. You do not have to agree to every social engagement or event straight away. Allow yourself to gently build up the amount of time spent outside the home with others. You can try taking small steps forward by challenging yourself with little goals each day. If you are uncomfortable with a situation, speak with your friends or family to try and find a solution.
If you are returning to work following a furlough period, or if you are simply returning to work with fewer restrictions in place, it is important to share any concerns with your management. Explain how you are feeling and try finding a solution that works well for both of you.
Before socialising you can speak with your friends and discuss what you are all comfortable with. You can also talk to your family about how they are feeling with regards to the lockdown restrictions lifting. This will help to reduce conflict, by understanding how everyone is feeling and what they are comfortable with.
As the restrictions lift and more people are getting out and about, it is important to find time to relax. A sudden surge in social engagements can leave you feeling tired or stressed, so finding time to relax and unwind is a great way to look after your wellbeing.
For some, the lifting of the restrictions will cause unhelpful or anxious thoughts. It is important to challenge these thoughts if you can. If fear and anxiety become overwhelming you could try speaking to friends or family members. But it is important to seek help from a professional if these feelings do not go away.
If you are struggling with difficult feelings about attending social events, you could try making a plan. Plan what time you will go, leave and what you are comfortable doing whilst you are there. This will help eliminate feelings of uncertainty.
Routines have changed drastically since the lockdown began. Now routines are changing again, so it is important to find a new one that works for you. Writing your routine down somewhere you can see it is helpful. You can easily see where you should be or what you should be doing.
Writing your thoughts down can help you to make sense of how you are feeling. It can also help with removing the thoughts from your mind. Keep a journal on you at all times so that if you are feeling overwhelmed you can write down your thoughts.
If you begin to feel overwhelmed or anxious, you can contact us through our website.
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