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Reconnecting After Covid

Re-Engage Connections and Routines to Combat the Negative Effects of The Pandemic This February

While the mask mandates may be behind us, we are finally starting to see the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic that may linger for years. 

At the onset, I thought about the possible implications that masks, empty grocery store shelves, and families spending excess time together might yield. Some of my predictions came true; children now struggle with socialization, more people are stockpiling goods, and some have learned they genuinely dislike their families.

I knew depression and germ phobias would rise, but I failed to calculate how widespread they would be. 
 
Humans are a species of pack animals. From the dawn of time, we huddled together for safety and divided responsibilities, which provided a crucial sense of connection.

We have grown increasingly fearful of interacting with others out of health concerns for ourselves and our loved ones. As a result, our worlds have become much smaller; our primary social efforts are with our immediate family members. We have become less charitable and feel exhausted by social interactions, to the point that there is less openness to others or new experiences. 
 
Some have reported "forgetting" how to have conversations and report conversations do not seem to flow like they once did. The mundane task of going to the local store has become frustrating, as we now must leave the house and wear appropriate attire. Waiting in line creates frustration when we want to be back home. 
 
Increasing numbers of people report they are struggling with ADHD-type of behaviors. These individuals reported no indicators of ADHD previously. Workers who now work from home struggle to create a distinction between work and home. The rituals to get ready for work are gone, we walk into the next room to do work, and there is no commute back home to decompress from the work day. It is difficult to leave work behind as home has become the office.  
 
Part of the way to counteract these effects is to stretch one's ability to be out in public. Being isolated results in our world shrinking with a lowered number of stressors.

Prior to the pandemic, our ability to take on multiple tasks was much higher and did not result in emotional exasperation. Re-engage in the activities that you found pleasurable before the pandemic. Get back to the gym, go to the movies and splurge on a bucket of popcorn. Part of our mental health deterioration has been not doing the things that bring joy to our days. 
 
Try to get back to the schedule you had prior. It provided routine and structure to daily life. The mundane is predictable and provides comfort. Steve Jobs would wear black simply because it was easy and did not require much thought; he was on autopilot. Many of us are too, as working in pajamas requires no forethought. When we put care into our wardrobe and appearance, we feel better. We are ready for whatever comes along that day, be it a professional success or re-engaging with friends or society at large.

Kevin Schlegel, Psy.D. LPC, is the owner and practitioner of Oak Tree Behavioral Health.  Dr. Schlegel employs a pragmatic, client-focused approach, using a variety of clinical interventions to target problematic behavior, cognitions, and emotional dysregulation in adults, and adolescents. oaktreebehavioral.com

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