Continuing to Cope with the Covid-19 Pandemic

With the 1-year anniversary of the Covid-19 pandemic behind us, we can all agree it’s been a challenging 12 months. Vaccinations are rolling out and becoming more available, but they won’t necessarily heal us from the mental health impacts this pandemic has caused. How can we continue to cope and adjust to a return to “normal”?

Keep up with your self-care routine

Last March, there were too many Covid self-care tips to count. By now, you may find yourself slipping back into old habits. It’s important to remind yourself that we’re still going through a difficult time and the everyday stress of staying healthy remains. If your self-care routine needs some refreshing, try picking up a new hobby, starting a new type of exercise, or including friends to help hold you accountable. 

Slowly and safely socialize

The pandemic has left many people feeling more isolated than usual. As restrictions are lifted and vaccinations become more available, you may feel conflicted. On one hand, it is exciting to think it may be safe to gather in the near future; on the other, the thought of being social might leave you with anxiety. 

To ease the anxiety around getting back out there, start small! Find a circle of support that you feel safe being around. If you’re feeling especially worried about returning to socialization, start small with video or phone calls and work your way up as you feel comfortable. Remember to follow CDC recommended guidelines when meeting with others. 

Grieve for time lost

The Covid-19 pandemic has required everyone to sacrifice parts of their way of life. It’s important to step back and acknowledge that this has been a year of adjustment and survival. Give yourself some space to grieve for what you’ve lost to these last twelve months. Do your best to accept this loss and be proud of the things you’ve managed to accomplish during this time.