Keeping distance, seeing fewer people and face masks in many places: many people have adhered to the corona rules for two years. Anything not to get infected with the coronavirus. But soon we will largely go back to ‘the old normal’. For those who are used to that, psychologist Erik Matser from Helmond has a tip: “Celebrating carnival is the best medicine.”
As far as he’s concerned, the folk festival of folk festivals comes at exactly the right time. Now that many corona measures are being put on hold, carnival can be adjusted but still celebrated exuberantly.
Many people are eager to shake off the corona period with beer and singing. But some also feel uncomfortable with the return to the old normal: they have become accustomed to some of the corona rules.
According to Matser, there is an experience of fear. “We adapted to a virus because we were afraid of getting sick. Many people no longer need to be afraid, but that fear can still be paralyzing.” The psychologist compares it to street fear: people who are afraid to leave their familiar environment and avoid places such as squares, supermarkets and public transport.
According to Matser, you have to confront that fear. “It’s kind of a fight. During carnival you will be close to each other. People cough and sneeze. That may not have been nice before, but now you have to say to yourself: that’s just part of it. The fear of becoming very ill is no longer so real.”
Seeing old and new friends and having a good time is super healthy for the mind, according to Matser. “We can quickly get rid of fear that we have built up over the past two years during the carnival days: carnival is the best medicine for that.”
Matser acknowledges that there are also people who cannot process too many stimuli at once. They have to build that up gradually. “Your brain can handle a maximum number of stimuli. Overstimulation is public disease number one and is actually much more dangerous than corona. Toxic stress shortens your age by many years.”
According to Matser, the pandemic also brought positive things for some people: people have been able to experience what it is like not to ‘have to go’ everywhere anymore. Moreover, people partly embrace working from home, because of the hectic pace in many offices.
“It is important that people learn what overstimulation is and how to deal with it. But in a society that is open, where everyone can have unlimited contact with each other again,” says Matser. And then, as far as he’s concerned, carnival comes at the right time: “The ideal time to feel freedom and leave everything for what it is. And if you feel a snot cold on Wednesday: well, that’s just part of it.”
Call: do you now dare to cancel almost all corona rules, to carnival again? Or are you a little more careful because of the coronavirus and the aftermath of the measures? Send an email now why to: [email protected]†