Returning to “normal” will likely require a major reset—and we need to be ready
As we’ve all experienced, Coronavirus has caused widespread disruption across nearly every aspect of what was once “normal,” from when we go grocery shopping to how we work to ways we parent. For some, this whole situation feels akin to the biggest, longest, and most destructive storm in history, and many are just waiting for it to start blowing over.
Unlike a storm, though, there’s no clear ending, followed by getting back to our everyday lives once we clean up the damage. Along with the human and economic toll, there will also be a personal toll for most people. And we should be aware of the potential emotional impact that’s likely to linger as we start rebuilding our lives.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), people coming out of stay-at-home orders and quarantine can have a range of reactions, including:
- Fear and concern about their own health and health of loved ones
- Mixed emotions of relief, grief, anger, and frustration
- Ongoing stress from needing to stay vigilant about health and hygiene
- Defensive about perceptions that others are taking precautions either too seriously or not seriously enough
- Guilt about feeling distracted, or being unable to perform usual work or parenting tasks
- Feeling helpless in the face of potential second or third waves of the virus
According to psychologist Shauna Springer, this pandemic has induced an epidemic of anxiety, and she notes that articles on self-care and gratitude may miss the bigger picture of how most people are viewing the future, and how that view may shape our society for years to come.
People of all income and wealth levels are suddenly feeling financially insecure, Springer observes, and that uncertainty can play a major part in loss of confidence overall. Also, priorities are shifting as people stay at home and for some, that’s an advantage — they might make more time for family togetherness, for example — but for others, that just brings more stress.
As we transition back to being together again, there ways to help overcome some of these emotional hurdles, and they’re worth considering both personally and professionally:
- Take your time and acknowledge that coming back may feel just as unfamiliar as the isolation did.
- Talk about how you feel; many times, simply labeling a feeling like “angry” or “scared” reduces its strength.
- Establish a routine, and make sure that exercise, sleep, and meals are part of that.
- Set priorities and goals. Mayo Clinic advises that you don’t need to become overwhelmed by developing a life-changing list of things to achieve. Instead, set reasonable daily goals and outline steps needed to reach those goals. Those create small “wins” that help you conquer feelings of anxiety and uncertainty.
The fact is that there is no more normal, at least not like we’ve experienced it. But we’re in the unique position right now to see that as an opportunity, not a loss. By focusing more effort on emotional health, connection, and kindness with ourselves and each other, we can build a “new normal” that supports us all.