For many of us, our world is opening back up again right when summer is about to get started. This can be really exciting, but also overwhelming. I recently had an interaction where I met someone new and they reached out to shake my hand. “What, a hand shake? How do I do that again?” It was the weakest, limpest handshake I’ve probably ever given… and that’s okay!
While being social again will likely be like getting back on a bike, and come pretty naturally to most, it’s not recommended to bike a 50 mile marathon after taking a year off. And yet, there is a lot pressure to go run a social marathon (or sprint!) this summer. Whether you are eager to get back out there or are feeling anxious about it, you probably don’t want to crash and burn.
Here are some tips on how to start strengthening your social muscle:
1. Start slowly
When working on facing something that is causing anxiety, it is really important to gradually start exposing yourself to that anxiety provoking situation. This will help you feel successful and prevent you from flooding your nervous system. Even if you don’t think you’re anxious, you’re likely not used to all that stimulation. Start spending time with one or two close friends and slowly start planning activities in more populated spaces. I made this mistake and gathered with 10 women for a weekend….I couldn’t do anything social for 2 weeks after!
2. Self-care
Balance alone time with socializing. Maybe that’s planning a social activity on Saturday and having alone time on Sunday.
3. Stop “shoulding” on yourself
I should want to be meeting new people. I should have a bunch of plans this summer. I should be excited. The “shoulds” invalidate your experience and leave you feeling you aren’t enough. Set realistic exceptions and meet yourself where you’re at.
4. Be gentle with yourself
I say this to all of my clients, all the time. Don’t be so hard on yourself. Strengthen that self compassion voice within in order to challenge your inner critic. This is as simple as saying something to yourself such as, “it’s okay I’m feeling nervous right now, I’m doing the best I can”.
5. Notice if you’re comparing yourself to others
You likely are seeing people on social media socializing it up. Friends inviting you to things, or feeling left out of plans you aren’t being invited to. Put on your blinders and try to focus on what feels good for you.
Susan says
Interesting Read. All the points are useful, also I want to add one more point. Breathing Exercise, it helped me a lot in fighting anxiety.
Ronald Barnes says
Greetings,
I read your article and found it informative and very helpful. I want to add more value in it. The consequences alluded to the high-quality consequences on hospitals having long gone thru the accreditation adventure and supported the gathering of required facts associated with COVID-19.
What’s your opinion about it?
John Gatesby says
Be gentle with yourself is the best advice I have ever received, this is true in every circumstance not just Post Covid scenario.
John Gatesby recently posted…Long COVID Syndrome