Coping with Change

Warning signs that you need help with change and learning to cope with change

We are living in times of rapid change, and that change can be extremely stressful (see Part 1). Read below about the signs that you are being challenged by change, the qualities you need to develop to cope with change, and how to become better at dealing with change.

Six Warning Signs of Being Change-Challenged

You feel as if life is ”moving too fast.”        

You find it hard to “switch gears” when things don’t happen as planned.

You feel you are on “overload” - the pressure feels too intense.

You feel “panicked” about whether you can handle it all.

You can’t think straight - there’s just too much information to process or emotion to experience.

You’d give anything to take a break, but don’t feel you can.

 

There are plenty of other “symptoms” you may experience when overwhelmed by change. They are all the same as the symptoms of being ”stressed out.” While they may be different for different people, everyone needs certain qualities to live with change.
 

Six Qualities You Need to “Surf the Waves of Change” 

Energy

Creativity

Mental Clarity

Inner Calm

Flexibility

Stability

 

Six Ways to Develop the Qualities You Need to Live with Change

For energy: Stay rested to ”keep your batteries charged.” This way change doesn’t find you “running on empty.” We all need an energy reserve, just as much as we need an emergency fund in the bank.

For creativity: Find ways to get the creative juices flowing on a daily basis - draw, paint, sing, dance, set your spirit free! Creativity requires freedom of expression, and that requires practice. For mental clarity: Learn a way to get “centered.” Find a way that works for you - there are lots of resources to help you with this. For some, it may be a walk in nature, meditation, prayer. Practice something at least a few minutes daily so that you live a more centered life and can call upon your special “technique” when needed.

For inner calm: Learn to relax. If you do this one thing, the rest will follow! There are lots of ways to learn this all important skill - find one that works for you and start it right away.  (Read How to Relax.)

For stability: Devote time to building strong foundations in your life on all levels - physical, mental, emotional and spiritual - so that the waves of change don’t throw you completely off-kilter. Developing the other five qualities mentioned here increase your “inner stability,” but this also needs to be reflected in stable and supportive relationships, health, finances, and even daily routines.

For flexibility: Stretch whenever you can, both your body and your mind. Try new activities and develop new skills. Expose yourself to different cultures and ways of thinking - you can incorporate what’s useful to you and discard what doesn’t suit you. You’ll find you become more flexible and versatile. Read different kinds of books, watch different kinds of movies, and whatever you do stretch your body regularly.

 

(For an excellent guide on how to stretch your body physically, check out the “Stretching Toward a Healthier Life” DVD by stretching expert Jacques Gauthier!)

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” as the saying goes. That’s why I’ve focused on what you need to do to become more capable of living with change. If you are currently overwhelmed by change, however, you may need some more immediate assistance! (Read Part 3.)

Read further:

Part 1: Understanding the Stress of Change
Part 3: Getting the Support You Need to Manage Change

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