Exhausted by the new normal? Here's how to solve it

On Friday, I was back in a bar for the first time. In the back, an old rocker was playing the saxophone like I had never heard before. In my glass was beer, next to me on the bench was my best friend, and it felt like old times. Literally ‘old times’, because I was in The Hague. It was nice like before, because otherwise I find the new normal quite exhausting.

It's actually all double the stress, because you not only have to act like before. No, you have to act like before with the knowledge of the lockdown. Which makes it double the pressure. Not surprising, as can be read in Het Parool. Psychologist Josje Smeets explains that our brain has adapted to the lack of stimuli during the lockdown. Therefore, it makes sense that we now get overstimulated more quickly.

How come? Your brain has to work hard to process all those stimuli. The result? You get tired and overstimulated faster. And even the most social animal in your friend group seems to be affected. How to tackle it? Well, like this for example:

1. Say goodbye
Because what a ride this has been. Therefore, it's good to take the time to process the pandemic. Experts say you shouldn't just fill your schedule with all sorts of social activities, but also reflect on the past year and a half by yourself. Rushing back to how it was is not very healthy for your mental state. Honestly, this doesn't sound very appealing. Next!

2. Pretend you're incredibly busy
If your social contacts won't accept that goodbye, just say you're BUSY. It worked like a charm before, and everyone definitely understands it now. That you are binge-watching Friends at home with windows, doors, and curtains closed doesn't need to be known by anyone.

3. Say you're going on vacation but don't go
What a peace that would be? You probably have some vacation pictures you can recycle. Or just seriously spend a midweek in a cabin in the woods with a stack of books and a bottle of good wine. You don't have to explain to anyone that you don't want to drink coffee, won't go for lunch, skip the drinks, and also don't want to go to a house party.

4. Be overstimulated together
Even the most social being sometimes lies at home exhausted to recover from all that nonsense at a birthday party. Instead of a night out in the city, plan a night in sweatpants on the couch with Netflix. People will be so incredibly grateful to you.

Source: Elle.nl