It has been a very long year.

Lockdowns and social distancing have had a profound impact on our hearts and minds. But, as the vaccines roll out and the country begins to slowly open back up, we are beginning to return to some kind of normal.

Many people are jumping for joy with the idea of taking part in normal social gatherings and getting back to life pre-pandemic. But, there are also those individuals who are feeling a bit of social anxiety at the same time. This is to be understood.

Being social requires a set of skills. We learned as children how to interact with those around us. As we grew older, we learned even more about the intricate and complex social structures, rules, and more. Being away from society for a year or more has put a kink into these important skills for many of us. You may have learned how to ice skate as a kid, but if you haven’t been on skates for years, there’s a good chance you’ll break some bones!

Here are some tips for dealing with any social anxiety you may be experiencing:

Be Kind to Yourself

Many will find it very exhausting trying to relearn all the social skills they haven’t practiced in some time. It’s okay, you’re not the only one who is struggling right now. Be kind and gentle with yourself .

Stick with Your Own Comfort Level

Some people may be feeling anxiety right now because they are unsure of how safe it is to be out in the world. If we’re honest, the talking heads on TV seem to give us mixed signals about what is really going on. All you can do is set your own boundaries and determine what you feel comfortable with. If you’re not comfortable giving or receiving hugs, don’t feel pressured by someone else. Respect your own boundaries and comfort level and take things day by day.

Take Things Nice and Easy

If you haven’t worked out physically in some time, you wouldn’t, on your first day at the gym, run for an hour on the treadmill and THEN lift heavy weights afterward. You’d take things slow so as not to hurt yourself.

Apply this same logic to your social life. If you feel out of shape socially, then take things slow. Don’t suddenly fill your social calendar with all kinds of activities and events. Start with a small gathering and go from there.

Speak with Someone

If you find your anxiety isn’t dissipating after some time, you may want to speak with an anxiety therapist in Michigan. They can give you the tools to help you get out of your rut and back into a healthy and joyful life via anxiety treatment.

If you’d like to speak with someone about your anxiety, please reach out.

Begin Working With An Anxiety Therapist in Michigan

Reintroducing yourself to others can feel very intimidating after an extended period of time. Our team of therapists understands how stressful this can feel, and we are dedicated to supporting you in overcoming your anxiety symptoms. We would be happy to offer support from our Grand Rapids, MI-based practice. To start your counseling journey, please follow these simple steps:

Contact Unity Counseling
Meet with a caring therapist
Start reconnecting with the world around you!

Other Services Offered with Unity Counseling

Our team understands that social anxiety may not be the only thing you are struggling with as a result of COVID. We understand there are a variety of mental health issues that may affect you. This is why we are happy to offer a variety of mental health services in addition to anxiety treatment. Our team offers a variety of mental health services to support clients including counseling for teens, depression counseling, and grief counseling. We also offer services including couples counseling, LGBTQ+ counseling, CBT, EMDR, trauma, and mindfulness. We understand making in-person appointments can be difficult at times. So, we are happy to also offer online therapy across Michigan. Feel free to learn more by visiting our blog or FAQ today!

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