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2 NEWS “HOW TO NAVIGATE SOCIAL SITUATIONS AFTER MONTHS OF COVID-19 ISOLATION Hills | Thursday, July 22, i = VERONICA APPIA vappia@toronto.com The resumption ofsocial events and. Bete deer months of Ci andemic isolation will Tool tifterontiy for = different people. eans friends, family ous areas of the spectrum, based on their own comfort levels and their individual risk assess- ments. Martin M. Antony, professor of psychology at Ryerson Univer- sity, said these differences will range from people who will con- tinue to not leave their home, to people who have been leaving their home for months prior to it being deemed safe to do so. “We're going to see that full range as we come out of it, with people being maybe too comfort- able to the point of potentially taking risks that are not recom- mended, to people not able to leave their house at a time where everybody else is back at work,” he added. Thomas Ungar, psychiatrist- in-chief at St. Michael's Hospital of Unity Health Toronto, agre At a recent Ontari: Association forum, Ungar ad- dressed what coming out of the pandemic could look like, noting asmall percentage of people will likely be "partying lik happened," while others will be more reluctant or fearful. He added that people are resil- ient and most will experience feelings of anxiety and depres- sion that are expected; however, a very small subset of people who had pre-existing mental health issues prior to the ly need some extra support (or) ‘netual treatment." CAUSES OF ANXIETY Antony said there are a num- ber of: to peo- the measures implemented here and in other countries around the world. As well, he said, when people find something difficult to do, but haven't done it in a long time, it only makes it more difficult to re- sume. This challenge may Ui be felt by those who, in pre-COVID times, already had a fear of con- tamination or anxiety when in social settings. “Many people get anxious eat- “Having not done it for a long time and being out of bractice will make that Is photo Different people will have varying. levels of comfort as they resume social activities as the province continues to reopen, experts say. that gradual re- voking for eae people.” MITIGATING FEARS AND ANXIETY In an interview, Ungar said the best way to deal with COVID- Plated fears and anxieties is to that feeling a ple's feelings of anxiety as they lines and what is safe and unsafe, as there are inconsistencies in tae bit of anxiety is healthy and normal. He said the best way to over- come those feelings is with grad- exposure, while keeping within public health guidelines. SAVE 46 % OFF THE NEWSSTAND RATE Get the Toronto Star weekend home delivery for just * AWEEK FOR $3 99 12 MONTHS YOU’LL GET: entry is going to be a little bit rd and nerve: but try to do a little bit of it any- ways." Chatting about these anxious feelings, or bouncing ideas off people you trust, can also help. "Usually when we do things with others, it's nice, if we have that luxury, because we're going through the same experience to- gether," he said. \U] 0) oXe) an] ay-m Moler-) Businesses in Your Community NAVIGATING CONFLICT AND DISAGREEMENT tony said another common challonee people will face is dis- agreeing with certain fami members and friends about CO- VID-related comfort levels. Antony advises Ontarians to “be patient with people who are not where you're at." He added that the more you pressure Peo. ple to do some and not want to do those things. Ungar noted itis importantfor people to focus on themselves and do what they need to feels safe: “You can really only control and be responsible for yourself and allow others the same free- dom," he said. “But if that means that you're having a birthday party for your kid and an uncle or auntisn't vac- cinated and doesn't want to be, you are free to not invite them or ward, but again, you can only control your- self." « Saturday and Sunday home delivery To help our communities we have created an © Starweek Magazine print edition line busi i local With shopping restrictions changing regularly mply with safe y businesses that are open, hours of operation * Complimentary 7-day ePaper edition measures our communities need to be kept in- « Complimentary 7-day access to formed nwt ses are open an thestar.com website 6 from the stores. SUBSCRIBE ONLINE: tsoffers.ca/deal/comm OR CALL: 416-367-4500 and quote code 2DAYSAVE for weekend home delivery for 12 months on the banner atthe bottom of the page. theifp.ca