Britain Stuck In Lockdown Limbo

Thursday 13 May 2021 81% anxious over lifting of lockdown restrictions and return to normal life

Top 10 social situations we fear the most revealed

Millions of Brits suffering from new phenomenon of post-lockdown anxiety

81% are daunted by the return to normality and resuming work and social lives

Top 10 social situations we are dreading include returning to the office, visiting the in-laws and dating in the real world

Being able to wear what we want, slower pace of everyday life, and time spent as a family unit are what we will miss most from lockdown

In response to the findings, TV Channel Dave have partnered with CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) and created conversational cue cards to aid social situations during Mental Health Awareness Week

Comics from the channel including Darren Harriott, Stevie Martin, Ahir Shah, Ania Magliano and Seann Walsh have also created self-help style videos about returning to normality

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Four-in-five (81%) of British adults are feeling socially apprehensive as lockdown ends according to a new study released today.

The nations social worry is set to peak this week and next, as we can start seeing people inside, stay over at friends and families houses, go to restaurants and pubs properly and meet up in large groups outside.

The research, commissioned by UKTVs leading comedy entertainment channel Dave, reveals that many of us are exhibiting symptoms of post lockdown anxiety as we become increasingly apprehensive about re-entering real life social situations following a year spent confined and communicating via phones and screens.

Over three-quarters (76%) of Brits admit to being nervous about interacting with people in real life once lockdown ends. Our nerves are further accentuated by the prospect of attending larger social and sporting events, with all restrictions being fully eased in just over a months time

The study pinpoints the ten social situations that are giving rise to the most anxiety and has led a series of self-help style videos from some of Daves comedy friends to help people reintegrate into society which leverage humour to get the message across.

Top social situations Brits are dreading:

Greeting etiquette (wave? shake hands? elbow bump?) - 44%

Going to a party of more than six people - 32%

Interaction with staff and fellow diners in restaurants - 28%

Work meetings and presentations in real life (and not via a screen) - 26%

Trying clothes on in a shop - 25%

Going back to the dentist - 24%

Long overdue visit with the in-laws - 23%

Mixing with randomers at a festival or a gig - 20%

Making small talk with a hairdresser - 19%

Dating... in person! - 16%

Sheer uncertainty as to how to greet people in person topped the list following a year of family zooms and work teams calls, closely followed by partying with more than six people and how we interact with staff and fellow diners when enjoying a meal out. Tellingly, almost two-thirds (65%) of us admit that we are going to miss having the mute button in real life situations.

The study also shows at least half (51%) of us plan on adding some embellishments to our stories when asked so what have you been up to? to try and make our past year seem more interesting.

Were also set to struggle to know what to talk about, with well over four-in-ten (42%) of us not knowing what to say each other when meeting in-person. Shockingly, almost half of us (47%) wont know what to say to extended family after over a year of not seeing them properly.

In true British fashion, three-quarters (76%) of us admit that we will revert to talking about the weather if were unsure what to say when were back out in social situations.

In response, Dave has teamed up with suicide prevention charity Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) and a host of comedians to create five witty video tutorials giving top tips for how to successfully navigate these social interactions without trepidation.

The videos, which feature Darren Harriott; Stevie Martin, Ania Magliano, Ahir Shah, and Seann Walsh deal with everything from work meetings in person; to remembering how to dance in public; to tips on how to quietly leave a social situation without being noticed.

The short films form part of Dave and CALMs reintegration guide for people that are worried about having to interact with other humans after a year of screen time. The guide also includes a unique set of conversational cue cards, which give tips on conversation starters in real life, and are deigned to help break the ice as we emerge from lockdown.

Top Tips from the videos include: Pub etiquette, how to adapt back to the commute and how to talk to strangers

Furthermore, the research also revealed the things we really enjoyed about lockdown, further emphasising how we may struggle with life returning to normality.

Weve loved being able to wear what we want at home, with no worries about dressing up for social occasions. Additionally, Brits have savoured the slower pace of everyday life at home, along with being able to save money and spending time alone as a family unit.

In fact a whopping two-thirds (67%) of Brits have found themselves at times grateful for not having to see friends or family.

Top best things about lockdown:

Being able to wear whatever you want at home and for work - 35%

Slower pace of everyday life - 33%

Saving money - 32%

Time spent alone as a family unit - 32%

Working from home - 25%

Taking up new hobbies - 21%

Discovering more about ones local area via daily walks - 20%

Not having to make small talk with people throughout the day - 20%

Improving cookery skills - 16%

Being able to mute irritating people on video calls - 14%

The conversational cue cards will also cover the best thi

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