How To Handle Big Changes With Less Stress

Change is an inevitable constant, ironically, it’s also the one thing most people have a hard time dealing with. It can often feel like as soon as you finally get used to things, everything changes again. It can be stressful and scary, but you’re not alone and there are things you can do to cope with change a little better.

Think Things Through

The fear of the unknown can make change paralyzing. An excellent way to deal with it is to think things through. You may not have the facts, but what you can do, is think of different scenarios and possible outcomes. Write things down or make a pros and cons list. Reflecting on the situation and thinking “What’s the worst that can happen?” can help you relax. Another fantastic method is to think about the last time you went through a difficult situation and how you handled it. Sometimes things aren’t as bad as they might seem at first, looking back at the past can help you remember that.

Get to the Root Of It

Often, it’s our reaction that impacts our lives more than the change itself. Stressing about stressing out is a real thing! When this happens, take a breather and analyze what your reactions are trying to tell you. Is the stress helping you endure difficult times? Is it pushing you to work harder on tasks? Or, is it surface-level stress about stress affecting your health and ability to function overall? Depending on the situation, stress can be a good thing.

Look On The Bright Side

Finding positivity can be a tough ask when things seem to be falling apart. But we must seek these moments out. Celebrate all wins – no matter how small. If you’ve moved to a new city, think of it as an adventure. Instead of fixating on how unfamiliar everything is, remind yourself why you did it in the first place.

Focus On What You Can Control

Big changes happen for better or worse, but we should only focus on what we can control. Figure out what is up to you and what isn’t. Understanding your own agency can drastically change your perspective and help you take action.

Change The Narrative

Accept that you can’t control unwanted change. Lean into this acceptance and let it sit with you comfortably. Viewing change as an opportunity instead of a setback is more likely to bring you peace of mind.

Seek Support

Feeling overwhelmed by change is perfectly normal. If you can’t cope, seek solace and support from loved ones. Even a phone call or video chat can help alleviate stress and make you feel better.