Intro
Life is constantly changing for the better and worse. Sometimes those changes are small and other times, they can completely shift how we look at life and the way we conduct ourselves.
Whether it be positive like a new job opportunity or something negative like the death of a loved one, change can be overwhelming to put it simply. If you’re looking for ways to cope with big changes in life, you’re not alone. Here are a few methods to help guide your journey along and preserve what matters most, your well-being.
1. Don’t Hide It or Fight It
When major life changes are happening, especially for the worse, it’s easy to close your eyes and pretend they’re not happening. While that may help to keep you calm in the current, avoiding the inevitable will have long-term detrimental effects on you.
So when a change arises, don’t deny it and don’t fight it. Recognize the change, and why it’s happening, and ultimately you’ll be more equipped to work through it.
2. Find Your Support System
Regardless of the change, good, bad, big, or small, you’re likely to struggle with adjusting. It certainly doesn’t help that life is bound to keep evolving and changing whether you like it or not.
Through that storm, it’s important to have the people you trust close by in order to support you during ups and downs. Try to avoid waiting until you’re in a crisis to seek help, but instead, have the support you need embedded into your day-to-day life to keep you in good health.
Your support system can include loved ones and friends, or it can be a step further via a healthcare professional or support group. Nowadays, there are support groups for just about anything you could need.
3. Take Care of Yourself
It’s all too easy to lose sight of yourself during periods of major change. As best you can, try not to let yourself go during periods of change. Continue to do things that make you happy such as movement or participating in your favorite hobbies.
Don’t forget to eat a balanced diet and rest so that your body can continue to support you even when your mind doesn’t want to face reality. As simple as it can seem, taking care of yourself will make all the difference in the end.
4. Avoid Complaining
Sure, a major life change for the worse is worthy of a venting process, but try not to go overboard. Why? Because what we say aloud and put into the world dramatically impacts our minds and emotions.
If you’re constantly putting out negative thoughts, you are likely to stay stuck within that negative state. However, if you minimize your complaints or even replace them with some positive directions, you may benefit in ways you didn’t imagine.
That’s not to say that you shouldn’t speak your mind or be able to seek support, but try to strike a balance. The balance will allow you to cope while providing the path toward feeling better.
5. Put Yourself First
Yes, you should always make yourself a top priority, but that’s not always a reality. For those with children, a demanding job, or other factors, it can be difficult to make yourself number one, or at least near that coveted spot.
During times of change and when you’re feeling overwhelmed, it is particularly important that you put yourself above all else. Listening to your body and its wants is way more important than blindly following what others recommend.
So, if you find yourself struggling to keep up appearances and not wanting to cook dinner some nights during major change, don’t. Stop making plans until you feel like going out again. Allow yourself the grace to order in or rely on others for help where needed.
Putting yourself at the top of the list can help you better cope and allow for the processing and healing you desperately need. Indulgence when trying to cope is not a negative thing. You might also consider taking the edge off with something like cannabis to help quiet your mind. Visit the Marijuana Doctors for more information.
Conclusion
Life changes are unavoidable, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be prepared to tackle anything that comes your way. With a few helpful coping mechanisms, navigating life gracefully, even through times of extreme turmoil, is possible. If you ever feel like adjusting to change is unattainable on your own, don’t hesitate to reach out to someone for further assistance.
