Together or Apart? COVID Current Events Keep Us Anxious

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we look at get-togethers and events for well over a year. Thanks to the vaccine rollout earlier this ear, it seemed like there was a light at the end of the tunnel. 

Most states reopened completely. Festivals went off without a hitch. Families got together. Professional sporting events returned. 

Unfortunately, that light didn’t seem to last long. 

Thanks to the Delta variant and others that have started to follow, it’s clear that we’re not out of the pandemic woods just yet. But, it’s hard to know what’s “okay” and what’s not. Information seems to change on a regular basis, along with restrictions. 

So, it should be no surprise that people are feeling more anxious than ever. But, why are these current events causing so much mental distress?

Fear of the Unknown

Anxiety often stems from irrational fears. Many people who struggle with it are constantly thinking about the “what ifs” of every situation, even if those ideas aren’t realistic. 

Because so much information (and misinformation) has been spread about COVID-19, those “what if” questions have become even more prominent. 

You might think it’s safe to spend time with family members or friends, but what if one of them has the virus? Or, what if you’re asymptomatic and you pass it on to someone you love? What if you send your child to school and they test positive for the virus, so other children have to quarantine because of them? 

Even things like going to the grocery store or an event you’ve been looking forward to can cause anxiety nowadays. You might feel like you don’t know what’s right and wrong when it comes to handling current events. 

Pressure and Discrimination

In addition to feeling overwhelmed with information, COVID has created more stress and anxiety by creating tension and arguments. 

Right now, those arguments center on mask-wearing and vaccination status. Some people are anti-mask and don’t want to receive a vaccine. Others want to be as safe as possible and help others to stay healthy, too, so they take those measures to protect themselves. 

Unfortunately, because this pandemic is such a huge problem and doesn’t seem to be going away, masking and vaccines have become great sources of contention. 

Whatever “side” you’re on, you might feel anxious about bringing it up or even admitting to someone whether you’re vaccinated or not, because you’re worried about how they might view you. This creates a unique kind of social anxiety that makes you nervous to be around people for fear of what might conversations could occur.

What Can You Do?

No matter the situation, it’s important to manage your anxiety. It won’t go away on its own, especially in times of unrest. But, getting to the root cause of it will help you understand it more, so you can work on strategies to keep your symptoms under control. 

For now, that might include things like avoiding too much media or news about the pandemic. That doesn’t mean ignoring it, but limit your time with how much you consume. It also might include limiting your time on social media, or even “blocking” certain people that seem to be triggering your fear even more.

It’s also always a good idea to seek out professional help if you’re struggling with anxious thoughts. Everyone is still trying to navigate the effects of the pandemic together. But, if you need extra help managing your anxiety because of it, you’re not alone.  

Feel free to contact me if you’re feeling anxious about current events. Together, we’ll work on ways to manage your anxiety and take control of your thoughts again instead of letting the fear and uncertainty take over. Please read more about anxiety therapy and contact me soon for a consultation.