National Social Anxiety Center

Menu

Skip to content
  • ABOUT US
  • WHAT IS SOCIAL ANXIETY?
  • ABOUT CBT
  • SELF-HELP VIDEOS
  • SAMPLE CBT SESSIONS
  • SOCIAL ANXIETY BLOG
  • FOR CLINICIANS
  • PERSONAL STORIES
  • REGIONAL CLINICS & ASSOCIATES

Post navigation

← OVERCOME YOUR SOCIAL ANXIETY WITH AN EFFECTIVE EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH
post

POST-PANDEMIC SOCIAL ANXIETY: SIMPLE STEPS TO START LIVING AGAIN AFTER COVID

Posted on June 21, 2022 by Andy Rosen

My colleagues and I have noticed a dramatic increase in anxiety and anxiety-related disorders over the past two pandemic years. While apprehension is a typical response during times of strife, as we return to more normal lives many people have been caught off-guard to realize how uncomfortable they now are in social situations – especially if they were never fearful before.

And for those who were challenged with social anxiety prior to Covid, being distanced from others for two years may have felt like a blessing in disguise. They were able to stay in their comfort zones, skip distressing situations entirely, and avoid in-person interactions. Now that everything is changing, they worry about venturing out once again.

If we consider that we’ve been fairly sequestered from each other for such a long time, it makes sense that social anxiety is now present in so many people. Although strict social distancing measures were necessary, they helped us feel protected and stay safe, which makes it all that much harder to let go and start interacting socially now.

In addition, many people experienced a great deal of trauma, uncertainty and fear during the pandemic. They learned to associate social situations with infection. As a result, they now feel vulnerable and helpless around others. Those helpless feelings will be hard to shake as the pandemic moves into the endemic stage

Is It Normal that I Feel Anxious after the Pandemic?

Woman looking through the sunny window with a white mask

Some emotional aspects of social anxiety involve perceived feelings of judgment and disapproval by others. Physical signs may include sweating, a racing heart, difficulty concentrating, being jittery, and feeling nauseous. For many, simply thinking about going out socially could bring on any of these symptoms or a combination of them.

Superficial differences also contribute to social anxiety, especially now. Some people have already dropped Covid protocols, but others will continue to hold tightly to safety measures, like mask-wearing and standing away from people. Consequently, those who don’t do the same may feel judged for their own relaxed standards.

For example, if they go to a social event unmasked, they may spend the entire time feeling extremely anxious around those who are wearing one. They might become nauseous or break out in a cold sweat when interacting with a masked person – even if they are surrounded by family or friends.

They may also have problems concentrating or focusing on conversations. Feeling confident in themselves could seem next to impossible when they are convinced that everyone is staring at them.

If this happens often enough or their reaction is strong enough, their anxiety might cause them to avoid social situations entirely. While doing so brings short-term relief, continuing to avoid people over time can lead to isolation and feeling disconnected from others. And while avoidance brings relief in the short term, it ultimately brings about even greater anxiety when we ultimately attempt to go out and face our fears.

How to Deal with Social Anxiety after Covid

Man covering his face

Some of us will fill our social calendars in the coming months while others will struggle emotionally with the current relaxed social standards. If you are feeling anxious about resuming a social life, don’t accept every invitation, at first. Remember that this is a time of transition for everyone. Be choosy about which social gatherings you attend, limit yourself to the ones that enforce similar personal protocols, and give yourself a breather in between them.

The same goes for your return to the office. If you are able to be flexible, take baby steps when going back into the workplace. Perhaps you can go into the office one day a week for the first week or two, and then slowly increase your number of days from there.

If you can’t ease your way back into the workplace, reach out to others for support. Most likely many people you know will have already been in the office for a few weeks. Ask them how they handled their nerves when they went back. What did they do to cope? No doubt, they found each successive work day a little easier to manage as they got used to their old routine.

Be kind to yourself during this transition, as well. Keep in mind that, as is frequently the case with social anxiety, the anticipation is often worse than the actual event. Try to eat a good diet, relax and do something you enjoy, and get a good night’s sleep the day (or weekend) before you go back into the office. Above all, avoid anything that might stress you and negatively impact your first days back.

Additionally, it is crucial to stay positive and optimistic, even when social interactions are difficult or uncomfortable. With time and patience, it is possible to manage social anxiety during this difficult period and eventually regain your normal routine.

If social anxiety is still causing significant distress or impairment in your life even after trying these strategies, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. A therapist or counselor can help you explore other options and develop a treatment plan that works for you.

The man with his arms outstreatched and the mask on his hand

How to Get Help for Social Anxiety

The National Social Anxiety Center is a national association of Regional Clinics and Associates with certified cognitive therapists specializing in social anxiety and anxiety-related problems. We have compassionate therapists who can help you to reduce social anxiety. Currently, we have Regional clinics and Associates in San Francisco, District of Columbia, Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, New York City, Chicago, Newport Beach / Orange County, Houston / Sugar Land, St. Louis, Phoenix, South Florida, Silicon Valley / San Jose, Dallas, Des Moines, San Diego, Baltimore, Louisville, Philadelphia, Montgomery County, Maryland / Northern Virginia, Long Beach, Staten Island, North Jersey, Brooklyn, Santa Barbara, Bixby Knolls, CA, and Massachusetts (Children & Teens). Call our national headquarters at (202) 656-8566 or visit our contact page to find help in your local area.

Written by,
Dr. Andrew Rosen, PhD
National Social Anxiety Clinic, South Florida

This entry was posted in Blog, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, pandemic, Relationships, Social Anxiety and tagged anxiety, CBT, cognitive behavior therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, social anxiety, social anxiety baltimore, social anxiety disorder, social anxiety therapy, social connection, social phobia. Bookmark the permalink.

Post navigation

← OVERCOME YOUR SOCIAL ANXIETY WITH AN EFFECTIVE EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

RECENT POSTS

  • POST-PANDEMIC SOCIAL ANXIETY: SIMPLE STEPS TO START LIVING AGAIN AFTER COVID
  • OVERCOME YOUR SOCIAL ANXIETY WITH AN EFFECTIVE EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH
  • IS SOCIAL ANXIETY OBJECTIVE?
  • LET PEACE BEGIN WITH YOU. HOW TO END THE FIGHT AGAINST SOCIAL ANXIETY
  • WHY AM I AFRAID TO SAY “NO”? SOCIAL ANXIETY AND THE LACK OF ASSERTIVENESS
  • SOCIAL ANXIETY, PERSONAL INSIGHT, AND SOCIOCULTURAL INFLUENCES
  • IS YOUR INNER CRITIC TO BLAME FOR YOUR SOCIAL ANXIETY?
  • SOCIAL ANXIETY AND THE PAINFUL ILLUSION OF SEPARATENESS
  • DOES YOUR SOCIAL ANXIETY KEEP YOU UP AT NIGHT?
  • OVERCOME SOCIAL ANXIETY BY REDUCING YOUR AVOIDANCE MODES
  • SOCIAL ANXIETY IN TEENAGERS: HOW TO RECOGNIZE IT AND FIND APPROPRIATE SUPPORT
  • SOCIAL ANXIETY AND SCHOOL PHOBIA: HOW TO OVERCOME FIRST-DAY JITTERS

POSTS BY YEAR

  • 2022
  • 2021
  • 2020
  • 2019
  • 2018
  • 2017
  • 2016
  • 2015

#1 of the 25 Best Social Anxiety Blogs

#10 of the 60 Best Anxiety Blogs

#5 of the 15 Best Anxiety Blogs

QUICK LINKS

  • ABOUT US
  • WHAT IS SOCIAL ANXIETY?
  • RATE YOUR SOCIAL ANXIETY
  • ABOUT CBT
  • PERSONAL STORIES
  • FOR CLINICIANS
  • RESOURCES
  • SELF-HELP VIDEOS
  • SAMPLE CBT SESSIONS
  • SOCIAL ANXIETY BLOG

REGIONAL CLINICS

Slider
CLICK HERE
TO SEE ALL 26
US REGIONAL CLINICS
& ASSOCIATES

GET SOCIAL

  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • Twitter
CONTACT USBECOME AN NSAC ASSOCIATE OR REGIONAL CLINIC
© 2016 National Social Anxiety Center. All rights reserved.