It’s happening already. Getting back with our people is HARD. Good, but HARD. Life After (sort of) COVID.

I met with a fifth grader quarantined to home including on-line school, very little contact with children his own age and being home with two working parents. Both parents and live-in grandma are fully vaccinated and the child is now able to play outside at his leisure. Yea!! Right? 

NOT SO MUCH.

“Mrs Gabrielle, I couldn’t hardly do it. I went out to play with the neighbors and I got SO anxious I started crying and just went back inside to play video games. Can you help me with my social anxiety?”

Raise your hand if you are feeling this. Right? Most hands go up. 

Life isn’t going back to normal anytime soon. We all know this. Even glimpses of our old life are layered in masks, disinfectants and awkward should I hug you or just stand here interactions. 

I met with a dear friend at a vineyard the other night. How AMAZING to catch up and share the inner workings of our lives with one other. It felt great…and then it didn’t. 

My nervous system began to tap me on the shoulder…”Hey. This is nice and all, but we’re not used to feeling into our friends’ nervous systems like this and for this long. Can you take me home?”

Humans are designed to feel into each other’s spaces. Mirror neurons, energy exchanges, what our 5 senses pull in… it’s what helps us connect to our tribe and attach. 

When your body is not used to connecting with a vast array of people, your nervous system might not be up for all of the NEW INFORMATION. 

Does it feel like social anxiety? Yes! Is it? 

From where I stand, diagnoses often do us a disservice because they fail to see the human within the diagnosis. In this case, it looks and feels like social anxiety, but isn’t specific enough. 

What Can You Do?
For starters, Feel In. Notice what it feels like in your body when you are out in public or with a friend. When you begin to feel squirmy, overwhelmed or anxious, take a sensory break. Excuse yourself to the bathroom and use this time and place to be alone and breath, suggest getting up to walk around, put more physical space between you and your friend if possible .  

OR be honest about your nervous system. Teach your loved one what is happening inside your body and inside of theirs and end the outing earlier than you would have before COVID. Take care of yourself. 

Weening your nerous system back is possible IF YOU ARE MINDFUL.

Train Your Nervous System!
Want more opportunities to build your Mindful Awareness? We are partnered with The Willows Crown Meditation Studio to offer reasonably priced virtual and in-person meditation to help you heal your nervous system and find the calm you crave. Our Mindful Meditation class is a GREAT place to start. It doesn't;t matter where you live. You can join us today!  Check out our Meditation Offerings Here. 

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