The Harsh Reality – Why the End of Lockdown Will be Harder than we Think

by Amy Shepley - 26 Jun 2020

As lockdown restrictions begin to loosen around the world, most of us are breathing a sigh of relief as we begin to emerge from our homes and (cautiously) explore the world once again. But as more and more of our ‘regular’ life starts up again, many people wonder how we will feel when our old routines are in full swing.

While having the kids back in school feels like a welcome change, it also means we’re resuming stressful mornings, packing lunches, and doing homework. And, if that isn’t enough, we’re managing an adjusted school schedule, new social distancing guidelines, masks, and new hygiene protocol.

Many of us are relieved to be returning to our workplaces, but there are logistics that are still unclear. Will public transportation be available? How will we be safe in our crowded offices? And how does our company survive the economic slowdown?

Compound these circumstances with continued lines at the grocery store, sports and activities resuming, and social obligations returning, all with their own guidelines and rules. There’s no doubt about it. Getting our lives ‘back to normal’ will be much more complicated than we think.

ARE YOU SUFFERING FROM ANXIETY?

The only way to be sure you are suffering from a clinical anxiety disorder is to be evaluated by your doctor. Your MD can help create a diagnosis using two methods:

A psychological evaluation. Typically, your doctor will talk to you about your moods, feelings, and thoughts. They might also ask about your behavior. These questions are used to help assess how often your symptoms are presenting and how long you have been suffering. They will also determine if any of your symptoms could be attributed to a different underlying condition. Your doctor should also be aware of any medications you’re taking.
Use the DSM-5 to Compare Your Symptoms. The criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) is often used to diagnose an anxiety disorder. This criterion was developed by the American Psychiatric Association.

The upcoming ‘new normal’ has the potential to violently collide with our current reality. If you are someone who struggles to manage change, or you’re one in every 5 Americans who suffer from an anxiety disorder, here are some things to consider in this new season.

PROVEN WAYS TO MANAGE ANXIETY

Breathe. Take time to breathe slowly and deliberately. Count to three as you breathe in and out. When the unexpected happens, stop for 2 minutes and focus on your breathing.
Stay in the moment. Sometimes, anxiety can make us picture a terrible future. But those things haven’t happened yet, and probably, will never happen at all. Try to be present, in the moment, and deal with the situation directly in front of you, good or bad.
Practice a healthy lifestyle. Eat a balanced diet, spend time outside, make plans with friends and family, try to reduce stress, and participate in recreational activities that bring you joy.
Plan time to worry. Set aside 10 minutes each day to think about the things that worry you. Talk about them to a friend, or write them down in a journal. Even 10 minutes a day spent thinking through your worries can help them stop taking over your life.
Consider a natural product to help. Bespoke CBD has been shown to help many people maintain a healthy sense of well-being. A daily dose of CBD can help you remain calm and better able to stay that way. It can also support healthy sleep, and adequate rest is key to maintaining homeostasis in your body.

If you are among 20% of Americans who suffer from anxiety, or if you’re finding you’re worrying too much or sleeping too little, this is the perfect time to put some new practices into place.

More and more people are trusting Hemp CBD to help. Talk to your doctor about Bespoke CBD. It’s a safe, vegan product and, unlike prescriptions, will not be one more thing you need to worry about.

Looking for more ways to manage your anxiety? You can try our Bespoke 3C or read some more lifestyle techniques here.