Has the election stressed you out? Many things can trigger stress and for many this election has certainly been one of them. When was the last time you had to deal with a big change?
Disrupting our routine sparks anything from mild anxiety to extreme terror. Perhaps we have to deal with downsizing at our company or maybe we experienced a health scare. Maybe change is something we choose like a divorce or relocating to another state for a new job opportunity.
Change is inevitable. For some it is an easier process to deal with than it is for others. But many of us put up a huge resistance to the process.
Why do we resist change? Many of us hold a deep fear of change and doubt our ability to adapt to new expectations. Let’s face it; most people prefer predictability in their lives. So, people usually avoid situations that upset the order of things, threaten their self-interests, increase their stress, or involve risks.
It is normal to feel fear and to feel unsettled with change. The unhealthy part of change occurs when we respond in inappropriate and unhelpful ways.
5 tips for dealing with ANY and ALL change:
1. Stick to your routine. Structure and routine reduces stress because your body goes into automatic pilot. Routine reduces the anxiety of the new. This doesn’t mean that we should never make changes, but a daily routine requires less mental energy and means fewer unpleasant surprises and therefore less unexpected stress.
2. Ask yourself how much you can control. When a big change happens, figure out if it’s something you have control over. Some circumstances are simply beyond our control, and we have to learn to cope with and accept them regardless.
3. Seek out support. Find people who you can share you concerns with. Distract yourself or release the tension by venting. Having people you can confide in reduces stress.
4. Limit your exposure to aggravating things. Limit time on social media. Limit the news. Fill your time with things you love.
5. Take action. Make an effort to be kind and compassionate. Volunteer. Find a way to be active in your community. Get out there. Learning how to find solutions to your problems will help you feel more in control, thereby lowering your stress levels.
It helps to understand that resistance is a normal response to any change. We must learn that trying to avoid any resistance is futile. Attempts to live in denial will not solve your problems. When you learn how accept this concept, you can respond differently to change by anticipating it and working with it.
Carrie
