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Self Improvement
10 Coping Strategies To Help You Accept Change For The Better
If I ask you what’s the one constant thing in life, what would you say? Your relationships, your passion, your prospects? If you ask me, I’d reply with – Change.
“There is nothing permanent except change.” – Heraclitus
Yes, surprisingly, the one thing ever constant in our lives is change. Change is an inevitable part of our lives and no matter how hard we try, we can’t stop change – for good or for bad. Coping with change is not easy either.
For some people, a big change can be adding a new step to their daily routine while for others, a big change is moving to a new city. Similarly, for some, a big change that’s not as easy to adapt to can be adjusting to the new normal left by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In any case, a drastic change in our life can make us feel off-balance. And knowing that we can’t control everything around us can make many of us struggle to cope with change, no matter how big or small.
We can’t stop change but we can control our response to change so that we can accept the change for the better. In this article, I’ve listed some active coping strategies to help you accept change and move forward.
10 Strategies To Cope With Change
Well, to start with, you need to understand our brain’s response to change. When faced with a big change, the conflict sensors in our brain get activated. This response can be quite stressful. What many people fail to understand is that this stress response is just a reflex while our brains process what’s happening.
Once you understand this initial response, change might not look that threatening anymore. Another thing to keep in mind is that how one copes with change can depend a lot on their personality. If someone is happy with the status quo, they might find it difficult to accept change than others.
How you cope with change and how others cope with it might differ but in the end, it’s all about perception. Avoid comparing your abilities to accept change with others.
With this said, let’s move on to the 10 active coping strategies that you can use to cope with change:
1. Don’t Fight It, Acknowledge It
It is easy to get caught up in fighting a losing battle that you may forget to see the change right in front of you. Denial, whether you like it or not, is a powerful tool and while it can protect you, it can also hurt you. Instead of fighting change, say, “It’s okay” and acknowledge it, if not embrace.
2. Accept That Stress Is Okay
The idea of change can be so stressful that people often forget that stress can be good too. Positive change can also cause stress. Don’t forget that stress is the initial response to change, even positive change. Don’t be scared of stress and accept that it’s okay to feel like this.
3. Don’t Forget Your Routine
Change – small or big – has the power to disrupt your routine but here, you need to keep your routine as normal as possible. Having activities you daily carry out can anchor you to the present and give your brain something to hold on to. Remind yourself that not all is changing.
4. Create A Plan To Move Forward
The best way to cope with change is to create a plan to move forward. If you feel helpless with the change, create a to-do list and take one thing at a time. Having a plan can help you feel a sense of control over your life.
5. Take Time Out To Exercise
Exercising is the best way to boost your mood and increase motivation. Exercise can release endorphins which can keep us healthy, sleep better, and reduce stress. Daily exercise of 10-15 minutes can help you boost your motivation and reduce stress.
6. Don’t Forget Self-Care
Mental health is the foundation of our overall wellbeing, isn’t it? When you’re stressed, it can be difficult to focus on self-care but what many people don’t realize is self-care can make a difference in how you feel and accept change. Meditation or self-reflection can help you embrace change and focus on the positive.
7. Seek Support, When Needed
You don’t have to go through change alone. I agree that change can be difficult to accept and eventually embrace but you don’t have to be alone in your journey either. If you feel the need to reach out to your support system or even a mental health professional, do so.
9. Become More Proactive
It’s easier to react without thinking through your actions so instead of lashing out of stress towards your loved one, turn that stress into something proactive. Take charge of your situation and see how you can turn that stress around to your benefit.
10. Seek Positive Social Support
Trust me, when I say hopelessness is contagious. When you vent, it’s easier to focus on frustrations than the good side. All this negativity can be contagious so try to find positive social support. Having positive social support can help reduce stress and gear you towards action. Positivity is also contagious, don’t forget.
11. Step Away From Social Media
When you face change, you may want to post on your social media and let others know what’s happening in your life. Well, first you need to understand that social media can give your a different outlook on your life. Keep in mind that each person’s battles are different so step away from social media when you’re coping with change.
Give Yourself A Break!
Nothing good will come if you work nonstop. You need to give yourself a break. Know that it’s okay to feel out of control, stressed, or scared of a change. No matter how much you try, change can be scary. Don’t push yourself too much and learn to give yourself a break whenever needed.
Try to focus on the good part of the change more than the negative part. Understanding how your mind responds to change can help you accept change easily. Our brains are trained to resist change but after the initial reflex, the above-mentioned coping strategies can help you slowly adjust to the change for the better.
If You’re Struggling With Change, Try Counseling
I hope these active coping strategies will help you in the future. For more, you can write to us at info@calmsage.com or DM us on social media.
Take care and stay safe!