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From infancy to old age, we are subjected to changes, whether it be psychosocial or socioeconomic. Change is any phenomenon that impacts how you think and act. Although this phenomenon is inevitable and, at the same time, essential for growth, it is uncomfortable, and this discomfort results in stress which is a normal response by the brain. 

Change can be major, like moving to a new home or city, changing jobs, having a baby or minor, for example, developing a new habit, taking a new route to work, or trying a different product. 

Change can also be positive or negative, and we often tend to forget that even a positive change can subject you to significant stress in your life because it requires you to do something different. 

According to Arthur Brooks in The Atlantic, a major change in life occurs, on average, every 12 to 18 months. These changes are called “lifequakes” by author Bruce Feiler, who interviewed hundreds of people about their transitions. He found that some lifequakes are voluntary, such as getting married or changing careers, while others are involuntary, such as losing a loved one or getting sick. He also found that people can use these lifequakes as opportunities to grow and reinvent themselves.

To give another example of a major life transition or ‘lifequake,’ the COVID-19 pandemic shook the entire dynamic of everyday life when the world was forced to stay home, almost all social activities were suspended, which led to a significant increase in depressive symptoms as societies across the world struggled to adapt to the new transition. 

Every life transition brings a significant amount of stress, and with the fast-paced everyday routine, we either ignore the indicators of stress or go completely unnoticed until it builds up into an overwhelming mess. We often find ourselves in a state of mental paralysis, unable to figure out how to cope with such drastic changes. Being mindful of your mental health during major changes cannot be advocated enough. Reach out to people who might’ve experienced a similar change. Do not be afraid to contact your relatives or friends or get life transitions counseling. This article lists a few ways to cope with major life changes: 

1. Start accepting change instead of resisting it

Coping starts with accepting the change and recognizing it as a source of your stress. To ease your mind into acceptance, it is vital to realize that change is inevitable, and resisting it would only make it harder to cope. Instead, one should face their anxieties and disappointments and make themselves aware of how they would affect them, their surroundings, and relationships.

2. Ride out the emotional rollercoaster

When going through a major transition in life, it is perfectly normal to feel intense emotions ranging from sadness, anxiety, and anger to excitement and happiness. What isn’t normal is suppressing those emotions. Instead, find healthy ways to express them in order to respond to situations more maturely. 

3. Give your anxieties an outlet  

It can be any activity or hobby you are passionate about and could help you destress. It converts your stress into creativity, giving you that much-needed confidence boost. Giving yourself outlets could make it easier to cope with change while at the same time giving you an opportunity for self-growth and exploration. There can be many outlets; painting, sketching, playing music, and singing.

4. Understand your problems better through journaling

Journaling comes with countless benefits, which is why it makes it on this list. It not only helps you recognize your problems but also helps you identify triggers and cope with them better in the future. When going through a major change, journaling will help you prioritize your problems, fears, and concerns. It would enable you to systematically work out solutions to your problems and dispel the irrational fears of the unknown. 

5. A positive mindset goes a long way

Keeping a positive mindset will not only have a positive impact on your mental health but also on your physical health. Staying positive would help you expect good outcomes from everything and keep your mind at peace. Look back on any major change you’ve experienced in your past and think about the positive impact it had in your life to help fill your mind with positivity. You could also write down a list of all the positive aspects that have come along with the situation to give you a new perspective and appreciate it.

6. Pamper yourself

Going the extra step to create a comfortable ambiance in your resting space is always a holy grail for your stressed-out brain. It is vital to treat yourself for simply dealing with the stresses of a major life transition and successfully making it through another day. Cook your favorite dish, listen to relaxing music, meditate, enjoy a long relaxing bath, or get a spa treatment. 

7. Recognize the problem and adapt accordingly 

Whether you have to learn a new skill to score a better job, change a bad habit that is causing a hindrance to your everyday life, or have to change your lifestyle entirely, whether due to a health problem or a social circumstance. It is important to be flexible enough to ensure a smooth flow of transitions. 

According to an article on Post-lockdown Depression on PubMed Central, a significant increase in clinical depressive symptoms was associated with adaptation difficulties when transitioning from COVID lockdown to normal routine. It calls for building self-resilience and active problem-solving. 

Final Words

There are two ways a person can cope with major changes in their life;  either cower behind their fears and anxieties or readily accept them with an open mind, equipped with the tools to stay mentally healthy. It is important to understand that accepting change, finding creative ways to let out your anxieties, keeping your thoughts positive and organized,  recognizing the problems, and adapting to them accordingly while seeking the needed support can help you cope with any major change you might be going through in your life. Embrace any change that comes your way so that it will be rewarding and enriching rather than being stressful or overwhelming.