In the current situation, It is very difficult to think about adapting to your routine after the holidays. just as we did other years.
The return to the usual daily life in September is usually accompanied by nostalgia for summer getaways, course preparation if there are children, new resolutions, and perhaps a look at the next long weekends until Christmas arrives.
This year, however, all those aspects normalized by the previous experience are altered, and may produce thoughts such as “at least I have been able to go away and disconnect for a few days”, “let’s see how the children return to school” or “I hope that We can enjoy Christmas as always.” Without a doubt, what is going to go hand in hand with this new routine is uncertainty.
Frequently, changes in our habits are partly a matter of our own decision and, although taking risks can generate losses, the reality is that maintaining a flexible attitude helps us deal with them effectively.
What makes this moment special is that our capacity for control is minimal. , and therefore decision making does not come from a reflection process but from an external order. For this reason, we want to give you some advice to avoid a pessimistic attitude due to living in a situation that you feel is unfair.
Follow these recommendations and tips to make it easier for you to adjust to the habits and responsibilities that await you when you return from vacation.
1. Be cautious
In the same way that when the spread of the virus began to be worrying, we established different behaviors in our routines, both social and hygiene, It is very simple that the feeling of recovery from the previous life implies the loss of these. This is because the perception of danger may have decreased and, as a consequence, certain preventive behaviors as well.
In this sense, it is key that our sense of responsibility at an individual level and as part of society is at an appropriate point, producing the thought that normality as we knew it can be closer if we all act the same. Remember that Having a clear conscience is essential to achieve an adequate level of well-being and feel inner peace.
2. Work on negative thoughts
Automatically, our brain generates a series of spontaneous thoughts over which we have no control, at least to prevent their appearance. Although they can be both positive and negative, In times of greater anxiety, it is common for these thoughts to take an unpleasant turn.
After months of confinement and seeing the current situation, these days messages like “I liked my previous normality”, “this is going to change us forever” or “I couldn’t stand another confinement” can invade us. Our objective here should not be to try to prevent them from appearing but to manage them well so that they do not cause discomfort.
It is very easy for one intrusive thought to attract another. and we find ourselves involved in a spiral of worries that are difficult to manage, and this is why techniques such as positive thinking training are effective not only in getting out of that loop but also in producing an alternative one with optimistic ideas.
3. Trust the decisions of experts
Distrust, in a certain way, implies anticipating something negative and therefore preparing ourselves at all levels to face it. One of the most frequent effects is hypervigilance to try to perceive the threat in time. which means, on the one hand, a high level of tension and anxiety and, on the other hand, an inability to enjoy or achieve peace of mind in everyday life.
In the health crisis situation that we are going through, mistrust is the order of the day and it is important that, despite political differences, you think that the objective of saving lives and preventing complications is common. Only by trusting the experts and assuming the instructions they give us at all times will we achieve greater peace, and only by everyone acting in the same direction will the gears work.
4. Manage expectations of the new normal
Throughout the quarantine, we have all fantasized about those things from our previous lives that made us feel good, and probably at some point we have assumed that after de-escalation we could recover them. The fact that the deadlines you have in mind do not match reality generates a high level of frustration that can be avoided.
If training at the gym, going out at night on weekends or taking long trips were part of your habits, you will have to think about other options that also make you enjoy and are feasible in the current reality.
For example, training outdoors, continuing social gatherings at friends’ houses or short-distance trips could be a solution. Focus your mind on everything within your reach and not on limitations It is the best way to keep the feeling of disappointment at bay.
5. Patience when returning to work
At the work level, there are many changes that are taking place and that can generate a feeling of strangeness if they are far from our previous day.
On the one hand there is the emotional part , since contact with colleagues surely has to be more distant and your workplace may be unrecognizable and give you a feeling of emptiness. Situations as basic as going down to breakfast and seeing the cafeteria deserted can remind you that something is still happening.
On the other hand, the functions may also have been altered, having to use specific protection or constantly carry out disinfection measures. There will come a time when they will be automated and will not require extra effort, but until then only patience will help you reduce the feeling of annoyance.
The same can happen at the level of productivity, worries can reduce the ability to concentrate and, as a consequence, also effectiveness. In this sense, forcing yourself to be at the pre-pandemic level will make you feel pressure that may take you further away from the goal. Be tolerant of yourself and everything will naturally lead you to that point.
Concluding
As we have seen, the return to routine after the summer holidays has more nuances than ever, but it may also be that a few months ago we did not believe that summer holidays could be a fact. Now, Optimism, a flexible attitude and patience will be your allies to face the new normal.
In the meantime, if you are interested in seeking professional help from psychologists, contact our team of therapists.
