There are vaccines here, unemployment is down, and the epidemic is coming to an end. These are good things. However, the idea of returning to “normal” may be daunting. That’s because our brains aren’t used to being in emergency mode for so long. That anxiety and uncertainty that has been raised over the past year is going to take time to leave.
This week on Gadget Lab, WIRED science writer Matt Simon joins us to talk about the psychology of reentry anxiety, and WIRED service editor Alan Henry offers suggestions on how you can manage it.
Show Notes
Read Matt Simon ‘s psychology of returning to “normalcy” here. Read Adrienne So ‘s story about the FOMO vaccine here.
Suggestions
Alan praises the game Monster Hunter Promotion. Matt praises the show People just don’t do anything. Mike recommends the Hari Kunzru podcast Into the Zone. Lauren praises the film Minari.
Alan Henry can be found on Twitter @halophoenix. Matt Simon is at @mrMattSimon. Tha Lauren Goode @LaurenGoode. Michael Calore @snackfight. Bling the main hotline at @GadgetLab. The show is produced by Boone Ashworth (@booneashworth). Our theme music is by Solar Keys.
If you have feedback about the show, or just want to enter to win a $ 50 gift card, take our short audience review here.
WIRED Brand Lab is a creative studio from publisher WIRED. WIRED Newsroom is not involved in the creation of Brand Lab content.
How to listen
You can always listen to this week ‘s podcast through the audio player on this page, but if you want a free subscription to get all the programs, here’ s:
If you’re on an iPhone or iPad, open the app called Podcasts, or just tap on this link. You can also download an app like Overcast or Pocket Casts, and find Gadget Lab. If you use Android, you can find us in the Google Podcasts app just by clicking here. We’re on Spotify too. And just in case you really need it, here’s the RSS feed.
More great WIRED stories