Think about how your body responds when you are exercising. As you get into your session your body starts to heat up and responds by sweating to cool itself, similarly in your mind thoughts become triggered in changing circumstances – your brain’s way of preparing you for action. However, these thoughts are not always useful and not the same in everyone.
As pandemic restrictions continue to be lifted, we see ourselves in a state of change once again and for many this can lead to feelings of anxiousness.
It’s perfectly acceptable to have feelings that are heightened when change is happening, you are a human being and you are responding to your environment and change.
For some the response can be stronger, instigating a level of fear resulting in anxiety where your personal perception of change is uncomfortable, and your mind shifts to survival mode – the point where adrenalin kicks in for the primal fight or flight response. You are not alone.
Lockdown has seen us all distanced from social interaction
Survey findings by the #samaritans show that 56% of men are feeling anxious or worried as we transition out of lockdown and recognise the importance of talking to help you through this period of change.
Lockdown has seen us all distanced from our social interactions and communicating has been just that little bit harder. #RealPeopleRealStories is a campaign by the Samaritans sharing people’s insights into the benefits of talking about your thoughts and feelings.
Human connection has the power to help and the research showed that 40% of men said talking to others was beneficial.
Listening is just as important as talking
Don’t feel that you should be doing all the talking though, listening is just as important. Often other people’s thoughts can put your own into perspective so keep an open mind and ask how your mate feels about the things you are anxious about.
We are easing out of an extraordinary period of our lives and everyone will at some point have thoughts about the changes happening so it is important to recognise that sharing will help you make sense of how you are feeling and realise that we are all responding to the change in our own ways.
