Navigating social anxiety during the pandemic holidays

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As the holidays approach, many of us are still dealing with the mental health effects of the protracted pandemic. Host Angela Davis talks about navigating holiday stress during a pandemic and how to manage social anxiety when gathering in groups once again. 
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In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic prevented many people from gathering with friends and family for the holidays. This year, with COVID-19 vaccines widely available and many restrictions lifted, people are once again traveling for the holidays to spend time with loved ones.

But the pandemic continues, and cases are rising in Minnesota. And if that isn’t stressful enough, many of us are still dealing with the mental health effects of the protracted pandemic.

About half of people surveyed by the American Psychological Association reported they were worried about adjusting to in-person interactions. And social anxiety has particularly affected adolescents and young adults during the pandemic. 

Thursday, host Angela Davis talked about navigating holiday stress during a pandemic and how to manage social anxiety when gathering in groups once again. 

Guests: 

  • Lizzie Post is the co-president of the Emily Post Institute and the co-host of the Awesome Etiquette podcast.

  • Dr. Ellen Hendriksen is a clinical psychologist and anxiety specialist at Boston University's Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders. She is also the author of “How to Be Yourself: Quiet Your Inner Critic and Rise Above Social Anxiety.”

Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.

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