7 Ways to Manage Anxiety As The World Re-Opens

While I’m so excited that the world is opening back up and everyone’s getting vaccinated, there’s a part of me that gets anxious – I’m not really sure what it is but it’s the fear of re-entering society again and the obligations that come with plans, being social, stretching yourself thin and not being able to say no because one part of you wants to do everything, the other part of you wants to chill but then also… FOMO.

Covid lockdowns have changed us all to an extent that I can’t even put into words. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, as we start returning to ‘normalcy’, we’re going to see an increase in social anxiety for a lot of the population. There’s going to be a lot of uncertainty for individuals (new variants, how long the vaccine will last etc.) and we’re going to question how to feel at ease as we reenter work and society. In short: your mental health is f*cked.

As I start to navigate some of these feelings, I’ve decided to share some of the things that have helped me feel a bit more ✨zen✨.

Disclaimer: I’m not a therapist, this just works for me.

1. Acknowledge Your Feelings

Taking a step back and admitting that your feelings are real and it’s okay to feel the way you do. The first step for me was admitting that yes, I have been feeling anxious lately and then finding the roots of where that stress and anxiety may stem from.

2. Create Private Safe Spaces

Many people during the pandemic ate, slept, showered and hung out with the same people from the beginning of the day till the end of the day. For some that means parents and families, for others it means a significant other or even roommates. It’s in human nature to feel a little claustrophobic when spending so much time with the same people — making sure you carve out alone time for yourself or even have other friends/family members you can turn to for that special 1:1 time.

3. Be Present

Savoring and keeping private moments to myself has been something I’ve cherished this last year. There’s so many things that have happened behind closed doors that I just want to keep for myself and not for the world to see. By tucking my phone away for a few hours and taking in my surroundings, I’ve really been able to appreciate those moments.

4. Engage in Fulfilling Activities

When work is home and home is work, it gets complicated. My dad always asks, “do you work to live or do you live to work?” Which kinda makes you think about what your purpose and passion in life is. If you’re not getting that from your 9 to 5, find something that fulfills that void. I hated my job at my previous company and turned to my podcast and blogging to fill that creative energy gap. I’m now so lucky to work at a company where I love the people, love my work, love my day to day which leads to my well-being and fulfillment. If you’re struggling with this, I suggest writing down a few things when you ask yourself: what is it in life that truly gives me happiness?

5. Navigate Your Own Comfort Level & Respect Others

I think we all have a tendency to get judgmental when somebody sees something differently than what we do. Take a second to decide what you are and aren’t comfortable doing based on your personal risk factors and where you live, and unapologetically stick to it when someone challenges you. Always be mindful of other people’s comfort levels too – it’s okay to be vaccinated and still want to hang out masked up and outdoors. This whole pandemic has changed us and it’s going to take some time, compassion, teamwork and love to get us all back on the same page.

6. Stay Connected

In a year of all things virtual, it’s easy for us to go from doing a zoom family call/game night to barely calling again because you just want to be out and about. But you have to remember to keep that level of connectivity in your relationships because it grounds us. It reminds us of the amazing connections we’ve grown through quarantine and also let’s us know if we’re unable to go on that next trip or next big thing, we’re able to spend 20-30 minutes of our day to FaceTime and call our loved ones.

7. Therapy

I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again. Get a therapist. Every year we’re forced to get a physical check up but what about a mental one? My body’s good, but how about my mind? Therapy should be included under our healthcare, but that’s a whole different topic (maybe, next blog). I highly recommend using an app like Modern Health to look through therapists and find one that’s the right fit for you. It’s not easy, it requires patience and it’s a trial and error process. One life-changing therapy decision for me was looking for someone that was only South Asian because they were more culturally aware with events happening in my life – take a second to jot down somethings you’re looking for in a therapist.

Actual footage of me at therapy