How do you feel about change? Embrace or avoid? Change is inevitable and we all go through periods of change in life. Change can be very positive and life enhancing, getting married, buying a house or starting a family for example but that doesn't mean it isn't challenging to face.
Some changes will have more impact than others and can feel very overwhelming evoking feelings of fear, anxiety and uncertainty. We all deal with change in different ways and there is no right or wrong approach. How do you process change? What feelings does it bring up for you?
You may know that a change is around the corner or it may occur suddenly and without warning so how can you prepare or deal with this? Well, in short you may not get the chance to prepare but you can follow some tips to help you cope when change is upon you.
Coping with change
Some ideas for working through the impact of change include;
Looking after your physical and mental health, building in rest, prioritising sleep, getting in some exercise for example.
Acknowledge that the change is happening rather than seeking to deny or avoid it. What feelings are brought up for you when thinking about the change?
Doing something you enjoy to give you some relief and help you to stay grounded.
Being adaptable and flexible so that the impact of the change is lessened and you can work around it.
Talking and seeking support from others
Go at your own pace and only do things that feel comfortable and workable for you.
If these uncomfortable feelings persist and you find that you are unable to adapt to change, is there something else going on for you that the change has uncovered? Are you struggling with your mental health or has the change triggered anxiety or depression? If this is the case you may consider seeking professional help and support perhaps from your GP in the first instance or talking to a therapist.
Therapy can help you to understand your thought processes, acknowledge and talk about your feelings and give you coping strategies for the future. If this resonates with you and you would like to explore how counselling can help please get in touch.