Coming Out Of Lockdown When You Have A Chronic Illness
Coming out of lockdown and rejoining society when there is still a pandemic going on around you, and you have a chronic illness isn’t the most comfortable feeling. With everything opening up and lockdown rules slowly disappearing, as someone who is more likely to be at risk, those of us with chronic illnesses are finding ourselves in a very difficult place.
Do we stay inside for another 3 months, defending our choice to leave our safety net and keep taking extra precautions or do we risk it? Often chronic illnesses come with the bonus symptom of a low immune system, so the option of re-entering a post-pandemic world and risking it isn’t really an option at all.
We then have to deal with the world slowly forgetting what it is like to allow work from home, flexible working hours and that caring, community feeling. As the country comes out of lockdown it would be nice to think we are entering into a new world of accessibility, flexibility and understanding but I sadly doubt that in reality, that is the case.
Ultimately, only you know where your health is, what you’re capable of doing and what the right action is for you. No one else should have a say in it, not family or friends. I am here to talk you through what’s going on, and how you can take charge of a very unknown situation to feel safer and more comfortable in a post-pandemic world.
Note to yourself: You’re doing the best you can.
Photo: @garybpt, Unsplash A wide shot of a completely empty high street in Leeds city centre. In the foreground in the left third of the photo is an electronic sign with the text ‘Coronavirus. Stay Home. Protect the NHS. Save Lives’ on the screen.
How to talk about lockdown and what you need.
Everyone wants to see everyone. Meeting up, visiting others and going out is a weird novelty, so the chances are you’ve had a lot of invitations- or are about to get an onslaught. Learning to say no can be uncomfortable, especially if you feel you have to explain yourself (you don’t, by the way.)
If you do want to let your friends and family know that you’ve chosen to not quite re-enter society just yet, then have something ready to copy and paste into messages so you’re not tiring yourself out repeating the same message.
In all the excitement of freedom, friends who once understood your illness, limitations and were caring and understanding of your needs may forget that you still need those accommodations. It isn’t a great feeling, knowing that your friends need reminding, but remember that the last few months have been an incredibly stressful time for everyone, and expecting all of your friends- and family- to know exactly what your needs are is impossible.
Just as you did before lockdown, be ready with the reason why you can’t join them. Wish them a great time and suggest online activities or socially distanced activities you can do to still keep in touch with them.
Photo: @priscilladupreez, Unsplash A close up of a person’s hands with light brown nail polish and silver rings holding a mobile phone.
Setting your own boundaries for your physical and mental health.
Each activity holds different risks. Maybe you want to keep away from the supermarkets, shops and other uncomfortable and uncontrollable situations, but you feel OK taking a picnic and sitting at the other end of a blanket with a friend or two for an hour.
Only you know what you feel capable of doing, but don’t let people push your boundaries by saying ‘well, you saw *insert name here* yesterday, so why won’t you let me come around and see you?’ or ‘you had a bbq with your family last night, sitting around a table outside at a restaurant isn’t much different.’
The fact is we are all going to have that friend who is going around seeing everyone, and not taking social distancing, wearing masks and washing hands seriously. They are going to drop down the list compared to the people in your life who are following the rules and understand they need to isolate before they see you. Set your own boundaries, even write them down if you feel that will help you remember them and stick to them.
How to process anxiety and stress if you do go out.
Eventually, we are going to have to leave the house. Maybe.
I think I’m not alone when it comes to the stress and anxiety that comes from leaving the house. Whether it’s leaving the house to go to the shops, to take a walk around your local town or to visit the hospital for those appointments that can’t be done over the phone.
The first thing that helps with stress and anxiety is knowing you’re going out prepared. Finding the right mask that is going to give you and others around you the right protection, and also making sure you have enough hand gel that you’re not allergic to are great first steps.
I really recommend this article: Where to buy Face Masks made by City Girls in the UK to find some masks that are reusable. In the below picture I am wearing a triple-layered surgical material mask made by the very first seller, Nicole. The adjustable elastic means I was able to size it so it fits snugly around my ears and the metal bar means Its secure around my mouth and nose- it passes the foggy glasses test!
In reality, many people who have a chronic illness will have worn masks way before Covid came into our lives. For those of you who haven’t had to face this face-covering before, knowing how to properly wear your mask will help when it comes to leaving the house feeling a little bit more secure.
If you want to understand how stress works in your body- and you know I recommend that you learn what goes on in your body to better understand and advocate for your needs!- then read: The Science Of Stress- And How To Reduce Stress In Your Day To Day Life. I especially recommend the breathing exercise I talk you through at the end of the article, that really does help when stress just gets too overwhelming.
Setting our boundaries, knowing what you feel comfortable doing and only doing that no matter what the social and peer pressure is what is going to help when it comes to anxiety and stress. I’m not going to lie and say it is going to make it all go away, but it will help, even just a little bit.
At the end of the day, we are all in a vulnerable position. Chronic illness often comes with low immune systems and the world we live in at the moment offers reduced, if not completely limited, healthcare for many of the therapies that we rely on to stay happy and as healthy as we can be. Remember that this is not forever, and not to push yourself- this is not the time for that. It isn’t a matter of confidence wins or overcoming these feelings to live a better life.
Covid sucks. It’s seemingly lasting forever, and as usual, those with disabilities and chronic illnesses are being left behind- but you can do this! It won’t be forever and you have and do overcome obstacles on a daily basis. You’re strong and empowered in your own decision making. You’ve got this.
