Life After Lockdown

As lockdown restrictions ease and we emerge into a version of 'normal life' we are all navigating what this means and how we feel.
During the past 18 months the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted our families and communities. We've also had our individual experiences, which are nuanced and unique. We may have felt loss, anger, anxiety or grief. Some things may have been surprisingly positive; a chance to reassess, slow down and to reconnect to what is important.

Our understanding of what has happened and our response to these events affects each of us differently, and that's OK.

As we start to attend social events, reconnect with family members and friends, celebrate missed birthdays, get a haircut and adjust to seeing faces without masks, a whole bunch of emotions may come up. Below are a few tips to support you through this transition.

Allow Change
You might notice some situations that used to be easy feel different now. You might feel anxious, awkward, irritable or nervous. Allow yourself to feel different. Sometimes the internal expectation of being 'the same' and being able to show up exactly as you used to is creating pressure. Speaking harshly to yourself, trying to out-think or compartmentalise things, shaming and blaming yourself can make these experiences really difficult.

Give yourself some time to adjust, be compassionate with yourself and notice what feels different without judgement. Take a moment to appreciate the positive changes as well. Living through the past 18 months may have actually made you more resilient, flexible and adaptable.

Affirmations: "I accept all of my feelings" or "I accept myself regardless of what I do"

Rest & Regulation
Taking the time to rest and to regulate our nervous system are supportive acts that are integral to our wellbeing. When your nervous system is activated we can experience either;

Hypoarousal - which leads to feeling flat, procrastinating, withdrawing and disconnecting
Hyperarousal - which leads to feeling anxious, reactive, irritable or angry

Honouring our need to rest, taking time out from socialising and busy schedules is part of listening to our body, mind and emotional needs. Our nervous system can be regulated by activating our vagus nerve through activities like;

• Singing, gargling water or humming

• Meditation

• Deep diaphragmatic breathing, including making your out breath longer than your in-breath (e.g. breathe in for 2 counts and out for 4)

• Massaging the sides of your neck, your jaw, the mastoid process behind your ears and across your scalp

• Making eye contact with someone else and smiling

• Laughing out loud

• Gentle exercises such as walking or yoga that stimulate blood flow

• Looking after your gut health with a good probiotic, fibre-rich foods and fermented foods

• Spending time in nature

Reference: https://www.innisintegrativetherapy.com/blog/2017/11/21/calming-a-wigged-out-autonomic-nervous-system-using-the-vagus-nerve

Acupressure
Heart 7 (Ht7) is a very powerful acupressure point on the Heart meridian. Its Chinese name is Shen Men, which translates to "Spirit Gate". It is great for calming the mind, anxiety, worry, apprehension and panic.
You can find this point on the crease of your wrist, in the depression below the pisiform bone, directly below the little finger.
You can hold this point on your right or left wrist yourself or ask someone to hold both points for you. Holding points for at least 12 minutes is ideal and up to 25-30 minutes can help to balance stress and clear stagnant energy. While you are holding Ht7 focus on softening the area around your heart and relaxing any constriction in your chest, while allowing your out breath to be longer than your in breath.

Reference: David Corby College Complementary Medicine

Mind Body Medicine can provide support for the transition out of lockdown, with modalities such as kinesiology, Traditional Chinese Medicine, acupressure and holistic counselling helping to manage stress and to adjust to change.

Appointments can be made with Ray Holistic Health in-person or online.

Cover Image: Daniel Pelaez Duque