From PsychologyToday.com….
With COVID-19 vaccines rolling out and 1.41 billion vaccination shots delivered worldwide , a return to the outside world is on the horizon. But after being socially distanced and isolated for over a year, many people are feeling anxious about a return to “normal.”
I thought I would feel less anxious once I was vaccinated. But as I started to venture out more, I felt a worry I just couldn’t shake. Turns out, I’m not alone. The American Psychological Association’s Stress in America poll data show more than 50% of people either “feel uneasy” or “do not feel comfortable” returning to in-person interactions and pre-pandemic routines.
Although I’m not sure we will ever return to pre-pandemic life, many people will eventually venture out of homes, return to school or work, or see family and friends in person. All of these activities can be really scary after spending an entire year worrying about the health consequences of leaving our house. Not to mention we’ve endured great loss, grief, financial and emotional strife, and decision fatigue. These feelings aren’t going to go away just because we are vaccinated. The anxiety can still linger.
