Excited to see relatives, hang out with friends and eat at restaurants, lots of us are thrilled that the worst of the pandemic appears to be receding in many parts of our region and those of us who are fully vaccinated are gradually getting our lives back.
But these feelings of excitement and joy aren't felt by everyone. Some are experiencing what we're calling re-entry anxiety, which can be described as being worried and fearful about how to function in society as it used to be. Scared about contracting the virus, many people are unsure about how to go about life in a safe manner, whether that's taking a vacation or socializing in a safe way. Many also have grown accustomed to living a quiet life and engaging with just a few people, and now the idea of expanding their social circle seems scary. And people are nervous about returning to the office after more than a year of remote work.
It is completely normal to experience feelings of anxiety or fear, and even more so if you have a pre-existing mental health challenge or lost a loved one due to the virus.