Post-Pandemic Syndrome Why 2025 Feels Harder Than COVID (And How to Finally Move Forward)

Why does 2025 feel harder than 2020? Nearly half of Americans report feeling more overwhelmed now than during the height of COVID-19. If you're one of them, you're not broken—you're experiencing Post-Pandemic Syndrome. Based on five years of groundbreaking research with 847 individuals, trauma psychologist Dr. Sarah Chen reveals why millions who survived the pandemic are now struggling with something no one prepared us for: the psychological whiplash of "normal" life. You'll discover: • Why your brain worked better during lockdown than it does now • How unlimited choices became more constraining than restrictions • Why the pressure to "bounce back" is scientifically wrong—and harmful • How to rebuild energy reserves depleted by years of crisis mode • The art of saying no in a world that wants everything back This isn't about pandemic trauma or building resilience. This is about understanding why recovery doesn't mean going back—and how to create something better than what came before. "Finally, someone explains why I felt more focused during lockdown than I do now that everything is 'back to normal.' This book validated my experience and gave me practical tools for moving forward." —Reader review "Dr. Chen's research reveals what millions are experiencing but afraid to admit: sometimes 'normal' is the problem, not the solution." —Dr. Jennifer Walsh, Community Psychologist Dr. Sarah Chen is a trauma psychologist specializing in post-crisis recovery. Her longitudinal research on pandemic adjustment has been featured in major publications and has influenced workplace wellness programs nationwide.