Embracing Change and Its Stress
If there is one constant in life, it is that change is always with us. Often, change can be accompanied by stress. Fortunately, there are established and effective strategies for handling whatever change comes our way. Listed below are some helpful hints:
- Remember: You have been here before
- Anyone reading this has already been through changes in their life many times.
- What has this experience taught us?
Be proactive
Even if we have had no significant change in our life for an extended period of time, we know that one will eventually come our way. Therefore, when this happens, it is time for a deep breath and a moment of reflection.
Try not to be overly reactive, you have been here before
This is a time for a review of your past experiences with change - when do you handle it in a positive manner? When did you not? How do these experiences inform how you should be responding to your current situation?
Let’s get out a pad and pencil
What is the nature of the change? What do I know about it? What will be asked of me? What will I need to do? What do I know and what don’t I know? Outlining each of these areas is a great idea and continuing to add to and modify this list is an even better idea.
Initially, we rarely have a full appreciation of the nature of the change or its full implications.
This is okay as it is the nature of the process. Just expect the situation to unfold and evolve. Time and events on the ground will provide greater clarity.
As always remember to take it: One Day at a Time
The only things we can truly address are those in the present. Minimize catastrophizing about the future.
Maintain your normal lifestyle
We tend to respond to stress in all sorts of maladaptive ways. Sometimes we sleep more, sometimes, we sleep less. Sometimes we eat more, sometimes we ate less. Sometimes we more aggressively engage life, sometimes we become more passive.
The key takeaway here is to try to maintain the same sleep pattern, food consumption level, alcohol consumption level and emotional equilibrium that you normally have. These patterns in aggregate are what help you maintain a centered and balanced approach to life.
Think in terms of this specific change
What is required of you today, this week, and then this month? Map out what you need to do for each day, review it at the end and assess how you did. Repeat the next day and the next day and so on.
A “to do” and a “to don’t” list
The “to do” is simply do your job every day. Focus on whatever is the requisite task of the moment. The “to don’t” is do not spend excessive time around the “watercooler” or “coffee pot” with colleagues or friends speculating on what is happening or will happen. Gather intelligence, absolutely! But also stay out of the speculation.
Maintain awareness
This is life. Change is constant. The skill set described above is required for life on earth.
Finally, remember the Old Saying: It didn’t come to stay; it came to pass.