Lifting the lockdown

Do those words fill you with excitement or dread? The relaxing of the lockdown restrictions is widely associated with positivity, getting back to normal and being re-united with friends and family. But for many people it will mean anxiety, worry and stress.

Throughout the pandemic we have heard about many differing experiences of lockdown. Whilst some Deafblind UK members have battled with the pain of loneliness and extreme anxiety, others have had more positive experiences.

So as the restrictions ease and we start to socialise and go out and about again, these unique personal experiences will continue and our levels of confidence will differ.

The Mental Health Foundation suggests that: “We should be prepared for the fact that the end of lockdown might be as hard for us as the start was. Just as it took us time to find ways of coping during lockdown, we should also expect that it will take time to find our way back, and to reconnect with life. Things may not be the same as they were before.”

Here are our top tips for coping with the lifting of lockdown:

• Don’t put pressure on yourself to do things you don’t want to – there’s plenty of time
• Focus on what you can control and let go of what you can’t
• Be prepared – if you need to lipread, carry one of our ‘I’m deafblind’ cards around with you and write “please lower your mask” on the back
• Understand the new normal – find out whether there’s a queueing process or a one way system at your local shop or whether you have to book a table at the pub
• Find out when the quieter times are at shops and restaurants and aim to go then
• Understand that it’s OK to not be OK, everyone will experience this differently and feeling anxious is completely normal

Talk to us!

The Deafblind UK team is here to help if you feel unsure about anything. We can give you practical information about what the rules are, what you can and can’t do etc, and emotional support when you need it. Click here to get in touch.