Re-Entry Anxiety; What it is and How to Help Alleviate It
#anxiety #COVID19 #reentryanxiety #mentalhealth
I'm sure we can all think back to the days of total lockdown where all we wanted was to get out of the house. Get out of the same 4 walls we had grown tired of staring at. I can remember thinking that I wanted nothing more than to be in a crowded room with all of the people I wasn't able to see. Now, things are more confusing than ever. We are hearing that airports are more packed than they were before the pandemic but we are also hearing about new varients. Your children are confused too. They see people in masks, out of masks, hear discussions about vaccines. They probably have friends who go on vacation and friends who rarely leave their homes.
The idea of this virus to a child is already scary. But the added layer of tension and anxiety surrounding what the future holds is a lot for them to handle. We have been getting calls from families who have children who are incredibly anxious about leaving their houses at all, children who scream when other people get too close to them in the grocery store, and children who are having a hard time socializing after 2 years of interacting with only their families. As a parent, you know that your child is your child forever. When we say children we do not just mean young children. We are hearing from parents of twenty-year-olds who are far too anxious to return to college because they fear they will get sick. We spoke with a mother who watches her 23-year-old daughter still disinfect every single thing she brings into their home.
People are scared and if you or your child are too, you are not alone. Whatever this holiday season looks like for your family it may include socializing outside of your house/hosting people. If that is the case and you or your child are feeling uneasy about it check out our tip sheet on Re-Entry Anxiety. We know everybody's situation and sources of anxiety are very different but read through it and pick the tips that will fit your family and give them a try. If you celebrate the winter holidays it may be a good idea to implement some of these tips soon rather than later so you can help ease your child into socializing.
This tip sheet has something for everyone! Take a look over it and see what may help your family. Most of all try to remind your child or yourself that you are far from alone if you are battling with re-entry anxiety.
Click here for a downloadable and sharable version of the Batteling Re-entry Anxiety Tipsheet.