Coping with social anxiety after the easing of lockdown
The most recent change to coronavirus guidelines in England has led to a large-scale reopening, and the lifting of most of the measures that many of us had gradually become used to since March 2020. While, for some, this may be seen as a highly anticipated return to ‘normal’, for others, the loss of a predictable lockdown routine may provoke feelings of uneasiness and anxiety. There are lots of things that can help to manage these feelings and make it easier to adjust.
It is important to remember that whatever your feelings are about lockdown easing, they are valid.
Be open about your feelings
It can help to confide in a friend or family member so they can support you to overcome your anxieties. Before socialising with others, let them know that you are worried; talk about the situation with them to let them know what you’re comfortable with before you meet up. This means that they’ll be prepared and hopefully won’t pressure you into doing anything you’re uncomfortable with, and it may help to manage your uncertainty. It will also help the other people you’re meeting, who may be experiencing similar anxiety, by ensuring that everybody is on the same page about what feels comfortable.
Focus on what you can control and re-engage on your own terms
The lifting of coronavirus measures does not necessarily mean that you have to revert back to your pre-lockdown routine – instantly or at all. For example, you can continue methods of socialising that you may only have become used to during the pandemic, such as video calls or going for walks with a friend. Similarly, although social distancing and mask wearing are no longer obligatory in many places, you may wish to continue to adhere to them if doing so makes you feel safer and less anxious.
Planning social occasions can help you to prepare for them, which in turn may help you to manage your uncertainty. If you are experiencing a lot of anxiety around meeting up with people, perhaps those who you haven’t seen for a while, or going out generally, it might help to start with smaller activities and gradually build up.
For example, you could:
Meet with a couple of friends instead of in a large group
Visit busier areas during off-peak hours
Stay local to where you live.
Remember that you can always rearrange plans and you do not need to accept every invitation; it can be daunting, and a lot to take in all at once, so it's important to find regular time for yourself to relax too.
Further information and resources
NHS – ‘11 tips to cope with anxiety about coming out of lockdown’ lists coping strategies for ‘reopening anxiety’, with links to additional resources.
If you are in need of a confidential and non-judgemental space to talk about your mental wellbeing, see our blog post on Counselling Self-Referral for information on how to access our Counselling Service.
