Summer 2021 has arrived, and what a summer it appears we are in for. Concerts, restaurants, festivals, and vacation getaways are all making a comeback. We may dress up for elaborate weddings, sing at religious ceremonies together, and root for our favourite sports teams. We can have genuine face-to-face chats and engage in the kind of spontaneous communication that is difficult to achieve over Zoom.
While many people are looking forward to living their best post-COVID lives once the US reopens, many others are experiencing a new type of anxiety: how do I engage with people again? Although it may not be clinically significant social anxiety, I believe that many people are currently experiencing social anxiety. COVID may have put you out of practise if you're the type of person who suffers with communication even a tiny bit for a variety of reasons. You appreciate having relationships and want to be among people, yet the prospect of returning to the social sphere may fill you with dread or fear of coming discomfort. Communication is similar to a muscle: if you don't use it for a while, it might stiffen and become clumsy. There are recovery principles for communication ability, just as there are for physical training. If you're ready to interact with others again but are hesitant due to rusty communication skills, here are a few pointers to help you "limber up" and ease back into social situations. 1. Pace yourselfSummer is always a time for large gatherings, and this will be especially true in 2021. One of the most difficult forms of social circumstances is a huge gathering with different talks, diverse kinds of friends, acquaintances, and strangers, and little to no interaction structure. If you've been socially withdrawing for eighteen months and are feeling more anxious than ever, it's time to seek help. A marathoner who takes a year off to recover from an injury does not immediately begin training by running 26.2 miles. When working back up to previous activity levels, athletes consider duration, distance, intensity, and recovery. To help you re-acclimate to being with others, consider similar parameters for diverse communication contexts. 2. Keep it shortSet a time restriction for your first social outings. One or two hours is more than enough time to have a good and sufficient chat. When the get-together is still being planned, let your communication partner(s) know that you need to leave by a specific hour. This establishes the expectation that you will be there for a specific amount of time and that you will not be late. Of course, if you're having a great time, you can choose to stay longer! Setting a deadline for yourself gives you a sense of organisation and predictability as you approach the gathering. Certainty and routine can help to reduce anxiety and make it easier to push through uncomfortable situations. 3. Keep it smallThe intensity of a social contact is influenced by the amount of individuals in the room and your relationship with them. An open-ended large group event attended by a mix of acquaintances and distant coworkers is significantly different from a time-limited get-together with two or three familiar pals. Consider the types of social gatherings that you enjoy the most, as well as the types of people you encounter. If you're feeling utterly overwhelmed with wedding and party invitations, consider reaching out to a few close friends and organising some modest social events to help you get the practise you need. Consider where you'll be meeting and who you'll be meeting. Is there a difference between being in someone's house and being in a coffee shop or restaurant for you?
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September 2021
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