Tips for coming out of lockdown

“Nothing in life is to be feared; it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.” — Marie Curie

After over two years of lockdown, we are seeing some glimpses of life returning to normal. When Covid-19 first hit us, many of us found it extremely challenging to adjust to the restricted life. In the same way, life can be challenging for us as we slowly resume normalcy post lockdown. This can be particularly hard for our children. Here are some useful tips for coming out of lockdown bubble, that might be help.

Take care of your Anxiety

Some people, especially children, might be anxious after the Covid restrictions ease. There could be a number of reasons for this. It could be the fear that the easing of the restrictions might result in greater chances of the pandemic spreading and restrictions being brought back in. Other parents with children that fall under the unvaccinated age group, might get scared of exposing their children to Covid as they resume their social contacts. Whatever be the reason for the anxiety for both parents and children, it is important that you take care of the anxiety and seek professional help as required. We all need to support and stand by each other and understand that we are in it together.

Understand that life post-Covid won't exactly be the same as before lockdown

It is important to understand and explain to your children that life post-Covid won't be the same again. We need to take one step at a time and gradually build our confidence in adjusting to the current normal. It is also important that we make sure that we do not avoid social interactions. This might seem like a rational choice at present but it might get harder to resume the longer we avoid. Ideally, we should plan resuming our social interactions at a rate that we are comfortable with, rather than rushing through it. In doing so, we should be listening to the guidance of the health professionals and taking adequate protections like wearing masks, maintaining physical distance and using sanitisers. We all need to focus on what we can control and understand that this is our normal way of life.

Communicate and share your thoughts with others

It is very important to communicate with your social contacts your plans and thoughts on resuming your social interactions. While it is important to communicate your situation, it is also important for you to understand theirs. Understanding each others fears and expectations can help avoid misunderstandings as we are coming out of lockdown.

Take care of your body and mind

The lockdown has confined us to our homes. As we are coming out of lockdown, we can get back to our outdoor activities. We should make sure that we gradually get back to our physical and mental shape. Our children may not feel comfortable resuming their sporting activities due to lack of practice. But we should encourage them to take part as they will quickly get back their confidence. We need to take care of ourselves too. Many of us have been through a lot. Some more than others with the job situations, finances, relationships, etc. It is upon us to maintain our mental health and well-being so that we can support our vulnerable children.

Set your Goals and Get back to Routine

The best way of coming out of lockdown is to set your goals and get back to routine. This applies to yourself and your children. Help your children set up academic, social, behavioural and sporting goals and motivate them to achieve them. In addition, set up routines for sleep, mindfulness and recreation. This will help them build confidence and resilience which are the most valuable tools for us and our children to survive the challenging times that we are experiencing. Being in the present and focussing on what is in your control, rather than what is not, will greatly help.

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Here are some useful links (for Australian residents):
•In case of danger or threat to life call 000
•Kids Helpline is a confidential counselling service available 24/7 on 1800 55 1800
•1800RESPECT is a 24/7 counselling service available on 1800 737 732 for sexual assault and domestic violence 
•Youth BeyondBlue can be contacted 24/7 on 1300 22 4636 for 12-25 years old who may be  experiencing anxiety, depression or suicidal intentions