Tips to Manage Anxiety as Restrictions Lift

The pandemic has brought the topic of anxiety to the forefront.

Many people have experienced it over the last two years, and as restrictions lift, it doesn’t appear to be going away.

Dr. Geoffrey Thompson, program director at Sunshine Coast Health Centre, said that many blamed their anxiety directly on the pandemic, citing reasons including infection, lockdown rules, financial security and confusion.

But Dr. Thompson says pandemics highlight society’s weaknesses.

Underlying societal issues such as promoting profits over people, gender inequality and poverty are magnified. Along with that comes demands for change.

Dr. Thompson says that big changes make people anxious as they don’t know what the new normal will be.

To help ease anxiety, Dr. Thompson recommends the following:

• accept social change as natural;
• don’t retreat to cannabis or alcohol;
• help others;
• practice gratitude; and
• know your true self in regards to values, strengths, limitations and desires.

Check out the full video from CTV Morning Live to learn more from Dr. Thompson.

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