COVID-19: 5 Tips for Psychological Management of Return to Normality

The solitary confinement, with a large majority of people confined to their homes to avoid an increase in coronavirus infections, it has been shown that long periods of quarantine can lead to situations of post-traumatic stress, confusion, anxiety and frustration.

Now in full de-escalation, uncertainty and anxiety grows among the population. But how to prepare psychologically for a return to normality? Experts in well-being applying quantum thinking, explains that "however, de-escalation should address three axes: epidemiological, research, and mental health."

According to the recent study, digital consultations have grown up to 200% during the phases of de-escalation, which shows that the population is very affected and that the levels of anxiety, depression and sadness during this crisis have online psychology consultations skyrocketed.

Most of us believe that it will take between 1 and 3 years to recover a life similar to the one they had before the pandemic and this blocks and scares them. The population is afraid of what this new reality will be like in which they will have they have to live and they don't know how to move in this new scenario.

1. Expectations management. During the de-escalation and afterwards, the return will not be to the same scenario that we knew from the measures of social distancing, hygiene and restrictions. It is convenient to assume them as part of the day to day and think that it will be a temporary situation. Everything will end up happening, what happens is that the process may be longer than we would like. Lowering our expectations temporarily and not comparing ourselves with other groups will help us to better manage our emotions. Think that little by little you will be recovering freedoms and focus on what you can do again (go out to do sports) that you could not do before and enjoy it.

2. For others, solidarity thought. Protecting others from possible contagion is the goal of restrictive measures. Solidarity and empathy is the positive side of this situation, which we must try to bring to the best of our ability.

3. Fear of the uncertain future. Uncertainty is a common denominator of the circumstances we are experiencing. To turn this fear around, it is necessary to change our mentality, that is, to go from being passive victims to people with dominion over our lives. Make a list of everything you can control or is in your hands and everything not to have perspective on your nearest future.

4. Individual responsibility and discipline. Each of us has an individual responsibility in this crisis. Being aware of it makes us feel that we have a little control over what is happening to us. We cannot forget that we are responsible for our own behaviors and that maintaining a certain discipline will help to avoid a collective shipwreck in this delicate situation.

5. Resilience. The ability of the Human being to adapt positively to adverse situations is what is called resilience and this ability is learned. Life tests us in difficult circumstances and it is then when we draw from within ourselves and this capacity that we did not know until now.