Coming out of lockdown: Learning to Live in the new normal

09 Nov Coming out of lockdown: Learning to Live in the new normal

By Carmen Beaumont.

As Victorians, we certainly have had our fair share of lockdowns.  This inevitably resulted in adapting how we used to do things such as schooling and working and associated challenges in doing so,  not to mention increased isolation and the impact on our general well-being.  As restrictions ease,  things we can enjoy increase.  This change, although welcomed on one hand by many, can result also in a degree of trepidation for others.  It is difficult to adapt when things change so rapidly, especially when the constant messages we had been hearing were staying at home is safe.  It is therefore natural to feel apprehensive at the very least.  Here are some of the things you can do to feel more positive about our ever-changing reality:

• Accept things you can’t change. Being aware and accepting of the things you can’t change will result in not feeling you are constantly swimming against the current.  Dwelling on things you can’t control will result in a heightened sense of loss of control.  This, in turn, can result in your mental health being impacted by an increase in apprehension, depression and anxiety.
• Regain control. You can do this by focusing on the things you can change and have control over.  For instance, ensuring you mitigate the risk of infection and transmission of COVID by adhering to the prescribed guidelines; ensuring you keep yourself informed by accessing official and credible sources;  limiting news exposure at times when you may be feeling more vulnerable; being self-compassionate and practice regular self-care activities such as meditation, socialising, balanced diet, regular exercise and reduction in consumption of stimulants such as alcohol, nicotine and sugar as well other illicit drugs.
• Stay connected with family and friends. As human beings, we are social creatures regardless of some needing it more than others. As such it is only natural to yearn and seek the company of others. Seeing family and friends doesn’t have to mean seeing them at their place, yours or at a restaurant for that matter.  You can arrange to see them outdoors if that’s something you feel more comfortable doing.  Luckily the weather is fining up allowing the opportunity to have picnics.
• Practice gratitude. Being aware of what you can be grateful for and reminding yourself of those things can go a long way in ensuring you don’t lose sight of the things going well, even if it is just a few.
• Problem Solving. This will result in becoming solution focussed and not feeling so problem saturated.   You can do this by listing things that worry you, people – if not you – who can help with solutions, the date of when you would like things resolved by and actions needed to take to find solutions.
• Make regular goals. This can result in being future focussed without losing a sense of the present.  These goals don’t have to be long term, life-changing goals, they can be everyday goals.  By doing so, you will not only have a sense of achievement, but also a sense of focus and as such a sense of satisfaction.

One thing to remind yourself of is you are far more adaptable than you give yourself credit for.  As you get used to what the new normal may be, it is important to remind yourself of what enabled you to make it through the pandemic so far, and know by employing the above tips, you will also get through this and adapt to the new normal.

This blog was written by Carmen Beaumont, to learn more about Carmen’s experience, click here.

To book an appointment with Carmen or one of our other Psychologists, click here.