If you're struggling mentally with lockdown measures easing - PLEASE remember that our brains are amazing.

If you're struggling to adjust right now, that means your brain has done its job perfectly in the face of a threat. 1/9

Your brain adapted in just a few months, to measures that were incredibly unusual & unique (for most of us).

You know at the beginning remembering not to touch others, keep two metres distance, wash your hands more & use hand sanitiser was tricky? But now it's second nature? 2/9

That's because your brain adapted, it did what it needed to do to survive.

We've had it hammered into us that staying away from people = survival. Staying indoors = survival. Whilst some of these precautions must remain, our brains need to re-adapt as things change. 3/9

That means we're going to have a period of overlap where some of our coping strategies or measures are going to feel weird, or wrong, or clunky, or unnatural - just like at the beginning of lockdown.

BUT, in time, we'll adjust, and be ready for whatever comes next. 4/9

I guess this is all to say, if you're struggling with your mind right now, and you're being less than complimentary towards it - please remember that it did its job. Give yourself some credit, & some compassion for that. 5/9

This is perhaps also a note to self, more than anything else. But this is also something the people I am working with are struggling with right now, so I felt called to share.

How is this showing up for me? 6/9

I'm watching TV & I think 'don't shake hands - coronavirus!!!' I take a moment to remember that's my brains adaptation showing - trying to protect me. I don't bemoan it.

I'm showing myself +++compassion as I re-enter a world that has been associated with anxiety & fear. 7/9

Taking MY time getting back to the things I did before.

Taking the pressure off, & not comparing myself to others.

I'm taking every opportunity to check in with whether I'm in flight/fight/freeze, & taking steps to shift into my rest & digest state where I can. 8/9

Please, be gentle with yourselves folx, and remember - your brain did it's job! 9/9

#coronavirus #lockdowneasing #lockdon #mentalhealth #selfcare #compassion @PhD_Balance @academicchatter @chron_ac #phdlife #phdchat