Keeping up your mental health following reopening

Changes.

We’ve experienced a lot of them within the past 482 days.

However, we’re days away from reopening and saying goodbye to the COVID pandemic to which we’ve become accustomed.

But how do we move forward and past these COVID times with a healthy mental outlook?

The University of Saskatchewan Wellness Centre’s counselling team leader, Terri Peterson, reiterated one stance throughout an interview Wednesday.

“Just go at your own pace,” she said, adding it’s important to check in with loved ones and those around you to see their own comfort levels.

“For some people, that will mean a gradual return … (and) for some people it will be a new routine. Some people will be ready to dive right in, cannonball right into social life and to have more feeling (and) experiences again (and) variety.”

She said when it comes to resetting that old routine — whether it be a desk at your workplace you haven’t sat at in around 16 months or your day-to-day lives — the pandemic was different on everyone and so will reopening be.

“Sometimes it takes a bit of experimenting and we can do that in a slow and thoughtful way,” she said.

“It really is about checking in with yourself … asking people, ‘Are you comfortable being inside without a mask?’ or what they prefer. Just having those conversations. It’s OK for people to change their minds too.”

She said it’s also OK for people to walk away from threats of exhaustion, and get into a less stimulating environment if they start to feel overwhelmed.

“Depending on their experiences, some people really have been negatively affected by the pandemic,” she said. “Some people have been really isolated, some people have really missed some important developmental activities that have impacted their growth and development.

“That ready stance … we want to assure ourselves that we can be ready without bracing. For some of us, that can be difficult.”

She said it’s important for people to acknowledge the impacts of COVID-19 as well. Some may have been infected and others may have lost someone close to them, but acknowledging that impact opens doors to finding ways to have recovery activities.

Peterson said that may mean being in nature a bit more and exercising more. It will look different for everyone with some maybe needing more support.

“Just be very mindful about what you need and what that looks like,” she said.

How should parents look at reopening? Peterson said with those 12 and up eligible for vaccination, it leaves a hole for those under that age range.

“Talking to other parents is always great. That doesn’t mean doing exactly what the other parents were doing, but kind of talking and discussing and thinking about things out loud,” she said.

Peterson added kids may likely be missing their friends, and could be itching to get back out. She said to be sure to talk it out with those around you, do your own research online and feel out what you are comfortable with.

“Maybe taking smaller steps to begin so you don’t stretch to what is uncomfortable,” she said.

Peterson also made mention of some of the younger children.

“The younger ones, it’s hard for them, even without COVID, to know about personal space and think about not touching each other. Maybe some people will be more comfortable having play dates and still having children masked, and that would be just fine,” she said.

Saskatchewan’s COVID restrictions will be lifted on Sunday.