The neuroscience behind why your brain may need time to adjust to ‘un-social distancing’ | Kareem Clark

If the idea of small talk at a crowded happy hour sounds terrifying to you, you're not alone. Nearly half of Americans reported feeling uneasy about returning to in-person interaction regardless of vaccination status

With Covid vaccines working and restrictions lifting across the country, it's finally time for those now vaccinated who have been hunkered down at home to ditch the sweatpants and re-emerge from their Netflix caves. But your brain may not be so eager to dive back into your former social life.

Social distancing measures proved essential for slowing viral spread worldwide - preventing upward of an estimated 500m cases. But, while necessary, 15 months away from each other has taken a toll on people's mental health.