Many of our people and practitioners say they are feeling excited and liberated as the weather coupled with vaccinations and low Covid case counts has removed barriers to socializing and traveling. Personally I can relate to feeling excited, both real-time and anticipatory, but also feel a sense of overwhelm and caution as I navigate travel choices, Covid statistics and feeling ‘rusty’ at doing the social interaction thing.
First on my list is to see family out of state but I felt very torn about getting vaccinated since I am ‘immune-compromised’ and there is no longitudinal data around either the mRNA or adenovirus vaccines on folks like me. However, the Austin functional medicine community has helped me learn about a well researched Covid preventative and treatment called Ivermectin. It’s a 40-year old pharmaceutical that has been successfully used in other countries to prevent and treat Covid and I took my first dose yesterday. I feel great physically and my levels of anxiety and caution have plummeted since I am not vacillating between getting a vaccine or traveling without any evidence-base prevention. I don’t feel as overwhelmed as I did last week and have started to make calls to friends and family to plan more trips this summer and fall.
Social connection with loved ones is what I am yearning for and wonder if you are feeling refreshed or renewed by seeing dear ones for the first time in months and months? As Stephen Porges, author and researcher of The Polyvagal Theory, states: “connection is a biological imperative”. We are wired to be in relationship with others and these past 15+ months of isolation has taken a toll on our collective nervous systems.
Some Flourish tips for socializing to help ease anxiety and help you connect:
Breathe! Before you enter a room with people for the first time OR while you are interaction, connect to your breath and try to stay with it for at least 3 breath cycles. If possible, move your breath into your belly by expanding your belly on the inhale and contracting your belly on the exhale.
Open up your senses. If you notice thoughts are swirling, racing or spiraling take several moments to scan your senses. Check in with what you are smelling, hearing, seeing, feeling (the chill of A/C, the smoothness of a wine glass), and tasting. After circling through all five senses you might want to repeat this silent mantra “I am safe, I am OK”.
Be curious. Dip your toe into social interactions by asking questions rather than racking your brain for something interesting or funny to say. Being curious around those around you will put everyone at ease and will also deepen your connection to those on the receiving end.
Stay hydrated. Drinking water is always key but especially if we are imbibing alcohol. While alcohol can help us feel a little looser and capable of conversation it can quickly catch up with us (now or later) if you are not properly hydrated. Remember to alternate – one glass of alcohol beverage is followed by one glass of water. And try to limit alcohol consumption to the equivalent of two drinks if possible.
If you feel Covid or social anxiety or shades of depression are inhibiting you from venturing out please bring this up in therapy. Having your therapist join you in this discomfort can help lessen the intensity and the two of you can collaborate on strategies on how to move forward in a way that feels right for you.
