How to Get Better at Adapting to Change

Change is inevitable and it's often an opportunity for personal growth.

Let's take five minutes to see this week in a new light. By Wendy Rose Gould & Amy Morin, LCSW, Editor-in-Chief Top of Mind How to Get Better at Adapting to Change   The status quo feels good. It's reliable, predictable, and keeps us safely in our comfort zone. Conversely, change—though sometimes exciting—can make us feel overwhelmed or anxious, sometimes to the point of shutting down, backing away, or stepping right back into that familiar bubble. Here's the thing, though: Change is inevitable and it's often an opportunity for personal growth.   Having strategies to cope can help you become more resilient to stress and make it easier to adapt to the transitions in your life."  — KENDRA CHERRY, MS    Why Change is Difficult No matter how big or small, change requires us to adjust our current way of doing things. This might mean tweaking part of our daily routine, or it might mean a complete overhaul of our life. This disruption can create feelings of anxiety, irritability, or sadness, and it can even impact our physical health in terms of sleep, appetite, and headaches. Getting Better at Adapting to Change Learning how to become better at adapting to change is one of the best skills you can have in life. Here are a handful of ways you can improve: Channel a "go with the flow" mindset. Change will occur in your life, and in fact is one of the only things you can be sure of! Set yourself up for success. Be proactive and create a comprehensive contention plan that puts you in a good place mentally, emotionally, and even financially in the case of a major life change. This plan might not ever be used, but it will bring you peace. Confront the change head-on and accept it's happening. An "avoidance" coping technique can backfire, putting you under extreme duress at the last minute versus giving you more time to make good decisions. Shift your perspective and find the positive. Dwelling on the negative aspects of change will bog you down. Instead, highlight ways this change can be positively impactful. Maintain other routines. When confronted with chaos, it's important to ground yourself in areas you can control. Ask for help. Going to friends, family, and professionals for guidance is a sign of strength. Having others by your side can help you better navigate unfamiliar territory, as well.   On the Bright Side Ways to Stay Positive This Week Ways to Nurture Your Mind and Body  This week, take 15 to 30 minutes to come up with a thorough plan that will set you up for success if/when a major change comes your way. What sort of changes might occur, and how can you be best prepared for each? Create a task list of what you want to accomplish prior to this potential change that includes speaking with others, saving money to avoid financial stress, and who you can go to for support.  Consider "small changes" good practice for when big changes come your way. "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff," written by Richard Carlson, PhD, reframes challenges, minimizes stress, and prevents letting the little things in life drive you crazy. "My Therapist Told Me to Journal: A Creative Mental Health Workbook" is the journal for people who dislike journaling. It's full of resources and exercises that improve your coping skills and introduces a variety of therapy practices, such as cognitive behavioral therapy. Here are the 12 best stress relief products that our editors use to find a moment of peace in all the chaos.   This Week on The Verywell Mind Podcast   On tomorrow's episode of The Verywell Mind Podcast, I talk with  Amishi Jha, PhD, a professor of psychology and researcher on the science of attention in a distracted world.   Tune in to hear her share how we can improve our attention spans and become better focused in just 12 minutes a day.   Follow Now: Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Google Podcasts / RSS Read These Next How to Adapt to a Stressful Situation READ NOW The 6 Stages of Behavior Change READ NOW 10 Ways to Build Your Resilience READ NOW Spread the Light Share the newsletter with someone you know to make their day a little brighter. SHARE We're open to suggestions! If you have any feedback about this newsletter, let us know at feedback@verywell.com.     You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the Healthy Mind newsletter. If you wish to unsubscribe, please click here. If someone forwarded you this email, you can subscribe here!   A DOTDASH BRAND 28 Liberty Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY, 10005   © 2021 Verywellmind.com - All rights reserved. Privacy Policy