As Society Re-emerges, Anxiety Increases: How to Cope with the Uncertainty

The threat of an invisible foe, the media’s consistent fearmongering of it, and the disagreements and swaying opinions of scientists has taken a toll on the mental and physical health of the whole world. Legitimate trepidation in venturing forth into society is an everyday boogieman for those who are physically vulnerable, and for those who love them.

It seems most of the world is very apprehensive that the life we once took for granted, with all our American freedoms, is at jeopardy. Many ask, “can I ever leave my house and feel safe?”

The Mental State of the Nation

The Social Isolation Survey was conducted online May 5-7th for 2,051 U.S. adults. It was not based on a probability sample, making sample error undetermined, but the results were intriguing. The findings showed:

• About half of Americans (46 percent) indicated they were struggling to maintain their physical, mental, and spiritual health.
• 64% reported that they have become more aware of their mental health.
• 77% stated that they are missing aspects of their life the longer the crisis continues.
• 52% felt that the effects from social isolation are more harmful than the physical ramifications.
• There is some good news, though.

80% of respondents said they would be more mindful about self-care due to recent events. These practices can help with managing some of the resultant negative ramifications of this global extreme stress, potentially dulling the impact.

Moving Forward

So, what are our answers and how will we move forward?

What do we do?

Will the people stay inside and pray for a cure, feeling continually vulnerable and scared-to-death?

Will the people decide to do what they can to follow safety precautions and be mindful of others, yet still venture forth?

Will humans focus on optimizing their own resiliency which also includes receiving the other health-promoting benefits of socialization?

Or, will our cultural belief be one so fearful of death and germs that isolation becomes the new  norm?

If so, will these fears create as much harm as the diseases itself, like what we are seeing with rising suicide numbers?

These are serious questions because, the fact is, we don’t know how this will end.

Considering Your Next Steps

As we start re-entering society, every individual is being asked to weigh the risks for themselves, with some specific guidelines and mandates by the government, of course.

I don’t have answers for you regarding your re-emergence. You will need to decide for yourself as we move through what I hope is the temporary abnormal.

Most likely it will depend on your nation, which news feed you follow, your own and your families’ comorbid conditions, and which experts you trust.

Adding Fuel to the Fire

Beyond the toll on the nation’s mental and emotional health from the current situation, the violent events that took place amid peaceful protestors added to its harmful effects. On top of an already simmering situation, this has fueled the flame of America’s deteriorating quality of life and its divisions.

The stigma associated to those who have darker skin, are not white, or are judged for any other reason as inferior, is not only detrimental to their well-being and health outcomes, but also more prominent, disturbing, and more dangerous than many were aware of. (source, source, source, source, source, source, source)

In other words, we have an ancient sectionalizing that should have been ended in ancient history and a new one in how to handle the current course of events.

Both are “us” vs. “them.”

Both are dangerous for health and are forms of groupthink.

As far as prejudice, I feel this is something that needs to be rooted out at the level of cause.

I have experienced sexism based on my gender, conflict regarding my beliefs in natural healing, and ridicule for my view of politics.

Yet, to pretend that even equals what a Black or minority person goes through in any one day, just existing with the simmering, underlying intolerance held in our nation, is the height of hubris.

The only way to learn, grow, and release fear of “the other” is to listen, to learn, and to be willing to change and open our minds to our internal biases.

I will discuss this more in my latest post, “Re-emerging into a Simmering Society, How Medicine Can Heed the Wake-Up Call.”

With this widespread xenophobia, I will present to you some possible reflection points from the point of view of a healthcare practitioner.

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