Most of us experience various changes in life, both expected and unexpected. From job shifts to relationship transitions, each change brings its own challenges and can be overwhelming in its own way Thus, learning to cope effectively with these changes is essential for maintaining mental and emotional well-being. This article will look at a few ways to cope with change.
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Feel Your Feelings
Change can be uncomfortable for many people and thus lead to many uncomfortable emotions, such as anger, sadness, fear, etc. At such times, it is important to remember that it is common and absolutely normal to experience these emotions. Reflecting on how you feel about a change and acknowledging your feelings can help you feel less overwhelmed and enhance your emotional well-being while ignoring your emotions can make coping more difficult. Journaling is one way of acknowledging and processing your feelings
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Make A Plan
As most life changes are unpredictable, it can be helpful to start planning for the future, especially for the changes that you are aware anticipating. For ex- It might be a good idea to save some money if you are planning to switch jobs. Planning ahead of time for an upcoming change provides you with a sense of structure and control. It also allows you to set goals, prioritize tasks, and take proactive steps toward adapting to the change. This sense of direction can reduce anxiety and increase confidence in dealing with the new situation.
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Pay Attention To Your Thoughts
Changes, especially unexpected ones, can leave you feeling uncertain and overwhelmed. This state of uncertainty can easily lead to a spiral of negative thoughts. You might be worried about making mistakes or sometimes assume that the change is going to lead to a negative outcome. Although, some uncertainty is normal, spiralling into negative thoughts often makes the situation worse, impacting your mental and physical well-being. Thus, it is important to constantly challenge one’s negative perceptions and focus on creating positive thoughts. Here is a detailed guide on challenging one’s negative thoughts
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Practice Self-Care
When faced with a change, ignoring our physical and mental needs can be easy. However, self-care is a crucial part of coping with change effectively. In fact, prioritizing self-care can help you feel positive and motivated despite difficult changes. Some examples of self-care include:
- Practising a hobby
- Maintaining a healthy diet
- Getting enough sleep
- Being regular with exercise
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Stick To A Routine
When everything around you is changing, it can be helpful to have something that provides you with a sense of stability and certainty. Sticking to some sort of routine can bring a sense of structure to one’s life. It can be something as simple as waking up at the same time, going to bed at the same time, or having your meals at the same time. Sticking to a schedule can bring a sense of predictability and peace in uncertain times.
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Give Yourself Time
Remember that change is hard and uncomfortable for almost everyone and adapting to change takes time and effort. So, it is okay for you to progress at your own pace. Set small targets, and don’t be too hard on yourself as you try your best to move forward.
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Seek Support
As we discussed before, change is often uncomfortable, and going through it on your own can be overwhelming. So, do not hesitate to reach out to your friends or family for support. Sharing your feelings and concerns can provide valuable perspective and help you feel less alone during times of change.
You can consider reaching out to a trained mental health professional if the change is impacting your mental well-being
Conclusion:
Change is an inevitable part of life but brings a lot of uncertainty and difficult emotions as well However, one can cope with change by acknowledging and managing one’s emotions. planning ahead, challenging negative thoughts, practising self-care, maintaining routines, and seeking support in times of need. Also, remember that adapting to change takes time, thus being kind to oneself is equally important.
References:
- Steps to Handle Change (of Any Kind). (2022, January 12). Psych Central. https://psychcentral.com/stress/dealing-with-change
- The Psychology Of Dealing With Change: How to Become Resilient. (2020, February 21). https://www.psycom.net/dealing-with-change
