One Darlington September 2021
September 2021 edition of partnership magazine delivered free to homes across Darlington
September 2021 edition of partnership magazine delivered free to homes across Darlington
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Feeling anxious about<br />
easing of restrictions?<br />
For most people, the easing of COVID restrictions<br />
has been welcome news.<br />
So why are some of us feeling worried about the<br />
lifting of restrictions? You might be feeling more<br />
anxious than you expected, unsure about the pace<br />
of the changes or what the future may bring.<br />
You’re not alone<br />
It's important to be patient with yourself and with your<br />
feelings. The pandemic has been challenging for all<br />
of us in <strong>Darlington</strong> and beyond.<br />
Even positive changes can lead to anxiety, and it can<br />
take time to readjust to our old routines and social<br />
lives.<br />
Feelings of post-lockdown anxiety are likely to<br />
pass with time as we get back to normal, but it's still<br />
important to recognise our feelings and take care of<br />
our mental health.<br />
Here are our top three tips for taking care of your<br />
mental health in these changing times.<br />
1. Go at your own pace<br />
During the pandemic, you may have missed<br />
regular catch-ups with friends and family, but trying<br />
to take too much on at once can make you feel<br />
overwhelmed.<br />
Take it step by step, and only do what feels<br />
comfortable and safe for you. Even though<br />
restrictions have eased, we need to be considerate<br />
of our own needs as well as others – make sure you<br />
take socialising again at your own pace.<br />
2. Do not avoid things entirely<br />
As always, it’s about striking a balance. If you avoid<br />
the activities that make you feel anxious, it can make<br />
it harder to start facing your fears in the longer term.<br />
Instead, try to set yourself small but manageable<br />
targets. Start with activities that are important to<br />
you and feel achievable – like meeting friends for a<br />
coffee – and build up from there.<br />
3. Tell someone how you feel<br />
It's easy to feel more isolated than ever when we're<br />
struggling. But chances are that someone you know<br />
is feeling the same way.<br />
Opening up to someone you trust can be helpful -<br />
whether it's a friend, family member or local mental<br />
health group.<br />
For more information on mental health support in<br />
<strong>Darlington</strong>, search for ‘mental health’ on our website<br />
at www.darlington.gov.uk.<br />
You can also reach out to <strong>Darlington</strong> Mind<br />
by visiting www.darlingtonmind.com or<br />
phoning 283169.<br />
06 www.darlington.gov.uk
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