What Comes Next? Tips on Managing Your Mental Well-being As We Move Past the Lockdown

What comes next? We have spent three months cooped up in our homes, quarantined, with little or no access to the outside world. The Prime Minister has labeled the current phase, not as lockdown, but rather, unlock 1.0. This means that we have now taken the first step to get things back to normal. While we have all been waiting for this, finally being able to step outside and bring some semblance of normalcy, something strange has happened. Personally, what I faced, or rather have been facing, is not just relief, but also anxiety. While feeling this, I realized that it was not just me.

While talking to several of my friends, I realized quite a few of us have been going through this, it was not just me. So, this begs the big question. Why? Why are we experiencing these negative feelings while being met with something we have been waiting for so long? The answer is right in front of us. This way of living has become a new normal. Whether you hate being stuck at home, or are making the best of it, one thing is clear. We have gotten used to living like this. This is our new normal. Thus, the prospect of going out again is more than just reverting to what it was, it is change. Thus, it is okay to be nervous about going out again. If you are feeling this nervousness, here are some ways in which you can ease into a “normal” schedule while taking care of your mental well-being:

Get back into your regular sleep cycles: Getting enough and quality sleep is essential to our mental well-being. The fact that there is no need to sleep and wake up on time, has caused many of us to drastically alter our sleep cycles. However, it is just as difficult to get your sleep cycle back on track as it is easy to spoil it. Hence, in anticipation of getting back to schools or colleges in the near future, it will help you to gradually get your sleep cycle back on track.
Start maintaining a journal: More often than not, change subconsciously triggers a lot of emotions within us. Quite frequently, owing to the difficulty in adjusting to the change, we fail to recognize these emotions. Journaling, or just writing down how you feel, or what you did through the day, is a great way to help yourself become aware of these emotions. Only when you are aware of your emotions, can you manage them, and take the right step towards your mental well-being.
Rely on your loved ones: This transition can weigh heavily upon you, even if you don’t realize it. It can be a tad overwhelming for everyone. If you aren’t someone who likes writing things down, you could always talk things through with a friend or a family member. The important thing here is to express your feelings about what you are feeling. You do not have to go through it alone.
Keep time aside for “me-time”: While it can be tempting to spend all your hours with your friends, in a bid to make up for the lost time, this is not the healthiest option. No matter how big an extrovert you are, we all need time to process things. Even if outwardly you feel as if you can handle being a social butterfly, it will drain you emotionally and/or mentally. You have to remember, anything in excess is harmful. This is why it is imperative to set aside time for yourself, during the day. This can be something as simple as just listening to music and sitting, or reading. Just sometimes, where you are by yourself, and can charge your battery.
Take ‘your’ time: While some people might tell you to embrace this transition slowly, to get acclimatised to this change, others will tell you to just dive into it and face it head-on. Both of these are right and wrong in their way. The thing is, each one of us tackles change differently. Thus, I would advise you to take your time while adapting to this new (old) change. Now whether that means picking up the schedule you left before we were faced with quarantine, or transitioning back into your schedule at a slow but steady pace, is completely up to you. Remember, there is no right universal way to get back into our lives, it is very subjective.
Plan your days out: When you encounter change, along with it comes the need to make several choices throughout the day. For example, when you leave in the morning for office or school, you have to decide what to eat, how to get to your workplace/school, which roads to avoid, and so on. Now usually, this does not take much, as we get used to it and make almost all of these choices subconsciously. However, now that we have gotten out of this routine, it will not come as easily and naturally as it used to. Thus, it would make sense to plan out small things like what to eat, what to wear, and how to travel, the night before. While this seems insignificant when you do it, making these choices at the last moment can affect you quite adversely.
Be patient: Facing several challenges while going back to what it was, is inevitable. Your performance at office or in academics is bound to not be the same. It is very important to be okay with this. It is very understandable if you are not able to produce the results you were producing before the quarantine. You need to be okay with this and be patient. It will take some time for you to get back to the efficiency of your performances. It will take you some time to find the rhythm of your routine. This is okay. Give yourself time.
Do not hesitate to get help: This change will affect everyone very differently. Even if you see some people around you being adept at adapting and settle right back into this new (old) pattern, you have to realize you don’t have to take it equally well. For every person who is taking it well, there will be a person who doesn’t take it as well. If you are someone who fits into the latter category, do not be afraid or reluctant to talk to professionals. Counselors and Psychologists will help you through this transition and make it easier

With all this being said, these are just some general things which might help you. Other than this there are several things which can help. Whether it is blasting music and dancing in your house, going for a walk in the sun, or even just playing with a furry friend, there are several ways to immediately feel better about life. Congratulations on getting through some of the weirdest times many of us have ever seen, and I wish you luck.