Covid-19 caused many people to develop stress and anxieties around their health that they never had before, or at least not this severe. So, if you’re feeling scared or helpless this fall, you aren’t alone. It’s important to return to normal activities as much as possible though. Here are a few ways you can make the transition back into normal activities a little easier in 2022.
Managing Anxiety
Before you start thinking you should eliminate all anxiety, it’s important to recognize that some anxiety is normal! Humans are adaptive creatures and when a situation presents potential danger, feeling a level of anxiety is normal. This normal anxiety is how we stay alert and aware of the best ways to keep ourselves safe.
Anxiety becomes a problem if it’s constant or feels overwhelming. If your anxiety is controlling your life, that’s not healthy or normal. When this happens, take a moment to step back and reassess the situation. Begin by acknowledging your negative thoughts. Then, focus on what you can control.
You can control certain factors such as your vaccination status, hand hygiene, and social distancing. You cannot control how others react to the pandemic though. Continue to manage your anxiety by controlling what you can, but don’t obsess over what you can’t.
Stay Informed
Stay informed on the local covid-19 numbers when returning to normal activities. When numbers are high, take that as a sign to avoid high-risk situations like indoor gatherings and start wearing a mask again. Local and state authorities should release covid-19 recommendations as case numbers in your area change.
Practice Illness Prevention
The final thing you should do when returning to normal activities this fall is to do your part to prevent the spread of illnesses. Get your flu vaccine, covid-19 vaccine, and booster as needed. Vaccines are an effective way to limit the spread of viruses and keep symptoms less severe if someone is affected.
Good hand hygiene, mask wearing in close indoor spaces, and a healthy lifestyle all reduce your risk of covid-19 and other illnesses.
Get your 2022 vaccines now to stay protected through peak flu season. Get same-day testing with no appointment at a nearby urgent care center! If you believe you may have covid-19 or the flu, getting tested ASAP is one of the best things you can do to keep those around you safe.
