At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was common to hear that the use of masks would be the new normal. However, with new decrees that remove the obligation to use them in some environments, less and less people use this essential item. On the other hand, still others feel that this is not the right time to remove them from our lives. In this way, the end of the mandatory use of masks can bring anxiety and stress.
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Why is wearing a mask no longer mandatory?
The loosening of COVID-19 safety protocols still varies greatly by state. However, in most of them, the use of a mask is no longer mandatory in open and some closed places, such as barbershops and gyms. This is because, with the advancement of vaccination in the country, the virus no longer poses such a risk to communities.
Now, the aim is to focus on the capacity of hospital networks and the risk of serious illness, making the case count not so essential to determine the level of risk of the disease. Therefore, with a high rate of immunized people, the chances of more serious complications are much lower.
End of mandatory masks and anxiety levels
Throughout the pandemic, people were constantly reminded of how much mask wearing was an extremely important safety measure. Because of this, using it was a sign of empathy and responsibility towards others, especially those we love. However, little by little, the scenario seems to be changing.
After all, when not wearing a mask is directly linked to the idea of danger, a sudden change can bring a lot of discomfort. Furthermore, from an emotional perspective, it is very difficult for some people to keep up with the evolution of safety recommendations.
To alleviate these conditions, the first thing to do is to assess your own level of personal discomfort. This way you will be able to understand whether you are really ready to remove the mask. Including this can be done gradually, like just removing it in open places or when you're alone.
In the end, recognizing anxious thoughts is essential to managing stress. For this, you can use meditation, create a list of your biggest difficulties and try to challenge them.
