Here's how to cope with anxiety as COVID-19 restrictions are lifted across Canada

Learning to live with COVID-19 is a message that's been repeated by provincial and territorial leaders across the country.

But learning to live with the virus isn't that simple for millions of Canadians whose medical condition or age has increased their risk of developing complications from a COVID-19 infection.

As provinces and territories lift pandemic restrictions such as mask mandates and vaccine passport programs, society's most vulnerable are being forced to assess their risk tolerance.

"For some people  — immunocompromised or the frail elderly, for example — it might be quite dangerous for them to get COVID. We shouldn't be cavalier," Dr. Steven Taylor, a clinical psychologist and professor in the department of psychiatry at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, told Dr. Brian Goldman, host of CBC podcast The Dose.

"We should consider what it means for a particular person to get infected."

Those who are more vulnerable may be wondering: How can I navigate a world without pandemic restrictions?

Psychologists say there won't be a one-size-fits-all approach, but here's what they recommend.

As restrictions begin to lift, psychologists say it can take time to adjust — and the speed with which people adjust can vary based on a variety of factors, such as health risks and vaccination.

Ideally, Taylor said, pandemic measures such as masking and physical distancing would be eased out to allow for that adjustment period.

"If you just suddenly lifted all the restrictions, that transition would be quite stressful for some people, particularly the people who are worried about getting infected," he said.

The easing of pandemic restrictions has varied across the country. Saskatchewan dropped its COVID-19 health restrictions on Monday, including the requirement to wear a mask. Alberta is lifting almost all of its remaining COVID-19 restrictions on Tuesday.

Nova Scotia will lift all of its restrictions by March 21.

Other provinces, including Ontario and B.C., have taken a more gradual approach to dismantle COVID-19 measures. B.C. officials have decided to keep the province's vaccine card system in place until the end of June.

One epidemiologist in Saskatchewan said we're at a crossroads.