Summer is here, and many organizations are opening their doors as restrictions are lifting. Last month, the CDC announced the lift of the mask mandate for those who have been vaccinated, and many organizations are preparing to navigate through the new normal. With this change and shift of the pandemic, it is common for people to feel anxious or fearful to return to normalcy after feeling extremely isolated over the past year.

How can we cope with emerging change, and how can we alleviate fear and anxiousness as we enter the new normal? Many of us will feel anxious about uncertainties and what-ifs; but it’s important to remember that change is inevitable, as it stems beyond our control. Worrying about things we cannot control can cause heightened anxiety leading to fear, stress, etc. If you’re feeling anxious or fearful to enter a new normal, it’s important to recognize that you’re feeling this way and analyze your thoughts. This approach will help you find ways to move forward. Here are some options to consider during this process:

Put the past behind: Change can be scary, especially if it’s an unknown experience or something completely new. If we hold onto our past, and manifest the negative feelings and emotions, it will prevent us from accepting or embracing change. Practice leaving these negative thoughts behind, with the visual of closing the door and beginning the next chapter. Self-talk, journaling, and speaking with a licensed professional will help you with taking a leap of faith into new normal circumstances.

Make time for self-care: I cannot stress this enough – it is so beneficial to incorporate self-care into our daily lives. Self-care improves our overall wellbeing – encompassing mental, emotional, and physical health. Practices to consider when feeling anxious, stressed, or overwhelmed include deep breathing (rhythmic breaths), guided meditation, rest and relaxation, journaling – and the list goes on! Experiment with various self-care options to find what works best for you to help improve your overall health.

Self-reflection: Analyze your thoughts and ask yourself constructive questions to help overcome feeling anxious. Here are some questions to consider: is there evidence of my thoughts? Is this a fact or feeling?  Am I making this up? Is this an exaggeration? Analyzing our thoughts will help us get to the root of our feelings to help us rise above change, fear, worry, or shame.

Support system: Utilize your trusted support system for help. If you internalize and manifest your thoughts and feelings, it will eventually lead to burn-out, or a breakdown. Don’t be afraid to reach out to vent, receive advice, or additional support.

Embrace the positives: Rather than allowing fear of change to consume your mind, switch gears into positive distractions. Think of things you would like to do over the summer as restrictions are easing. Is there somewhere you wanted to go last year, or something that you wanted to do last year that was unavailable due to the pandemic? Create a list of things to look forward to, and this will help you with accepting change and shifting your energy for the new normal ahead.

If you’re feeling unsure about the new normal, try to incorporate the methods above to alleviate stress, anxiety, and fear. Change is inevitable, but we don’t have to run from it in fear. Instead, we can approach it in a way that feels comfortable and true to us. Remember, your feelings and concerns are valid – and taking the leap of faith into change will help us to overcome any thought or feeling that’s trying to hold us back from living our best lives.