Worried about the return to ‘normal’?
Relaxing of strict lockdown rules can actually add to anxiety and stress. Here are some thoughts on how to manage those uncertainties.
Shutterstock ID: 1712731537 by 2ShrimpS
In the UK and many other places across the globe, the comprehensive restrictions put in place in response to the coronavirus are gradually being lifted. For many people that means a prospective change to a working routine and uncertainties around travelling to and from work, and safety in their workplaces. For others it could mean worries over their employment status as furlough schemes change or end. For many it could be fears about having to deal with people with different attitudes to distancing and safety.
While this easing is a necessary step, it also means that this time is filled with unknowns. And the human brain isn’t comfortable with unknowns and chooses to replace them with its own narratives. And guess what – our brains are programmed to help us survive by focusing on the worst case, so those narratives are rarely positive, sunshine-filled tales.
The first and most important thing we can do is to understand what those fears are in as much detail as possible. We have to demystify them to take away their power over us. We have to make it clear that this is normal, we are not alone. This is where having someone to talk to really helps. Whether it’s a partner, a family member, a friend, a colleague or a professional, just taking those thoughts and fears out of your mind and into the real world openly and without judgement is the first step in diminishing them.
And then you need to break those fears down into their component elements and make them even less daunting and more manageable. Again having someone to work through this will help. And once you have a really good understanding of what is causing your stress then you can identify what elements you have control over – and you will find there is far more that you do control than you first thought because your subconscious brain will have assumed the worst to start with.
Once you are there, you can start to work out what options and resources you have to help deal with each concern in turn.
For example, when I returned to work after a long absence in 2009, I jumped straight in having done none of this. And that first day back was more than overwhelming. I wish now I had taken the time to understand what I was facing and plan better. I would have worked out that I was worried about the commute, about walking into my old office, about facing my colleagues again, about not being up to my job anymore.
So, I could have tried the journey out before my return date to deal with one thing at a time. I could have asked about changing my working hours to avoid peak commuting times. I could have looked for alternative means of transport. I could have been prepared that the journey itself may be stressful and made sure I had time to settle my nerves at the other end.
And that is just the commute.
So I really hope that if you are facing some anxieties about changes to your working routine, that you take some time to explore exactly what is at the heart of your worry, and work through some possible solutions to diminish their effects.
If you are struggling with anxieties like these and looking for someone to support you then please get in touch at richard@newdaycoaching for a free, no obligation introductory chat to explore how I may be able to help you through this time. https://www.newdaycoaching.co.uk/121-coaching
If you are an employer and would like to talk about how to support people through anxiety and stress then drop me an email at the same address to discuss the benefits holding a session or series of sessions to do just that. https://www.newdaycoaching.co.uk/public-speaking
