Kate Otterbein / XFM News
Ontario is now back to 100 per cent capacity in most public buildings and as of March 1, the vaccine passports will no longer be required. This re-opening came rather abruptly, so how will it affect people’s mental health?
Marnie Wedlake is a registered psychotherapist and a professor at Western University. She says there is no “one size fits all” answer to this question. There will be some people who are raring and ready to go, some who are hesitant but will still go out anyway, and those who will be very anxious and continue to distance from the public. But, no matter how people react to going out, for those who do, they all could experience a similar after-effect.
“I wouldn’t be surprised that people who get back out there feel ‘wow, I’m really tired. I went to a restaurant and it was great, the food was awesome, but I feel so tired because I was kind of on edge the whole time’,” says Wedlake. “We have been living in this very restricted life for a couple of years now so it’s going to take some time to get ourselves back to that place where we are more at ease being in the world.”
Wedlake uses the example of climbing Mount Everest when speaking on this topic. It’s a slow battle, but that is how you will succeed.
“You’re really exhausted from something? Well pull back and do a little bit less next time. Be really gentle with yourself and with each other and have modest expectations.”
She also reminds that not everybody will become comfortable at the same time. If people around you don’t quite match your level of comfort, give them some time and patience and they will get there when they are ready.
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