3 Ways to Get Through Any Life Change

Have you ever thought, “I should be happy and excited! I’m making a good change in my life – so why am I so stressed?”

You’re probably stressed because almost any change, whether it's positive or negative,
Here are four ways that you can manage the stress of change and become more resilient in the process:

1. Remind yourself why you’re making the change. For instance, maybe you always wanted to move to the big city – but now that you’re doing it, you’re terrified and stressed. Remind yourself why you wanted to move. What were your goals? What were you hoping to achieve? And what do you need to do to follow through on those goals?

Changes in routine can serve as stimulation to your stagnant nervous systems and allow you to grow new neural pathways.

2. Connect to others. Human beings are social creatures. Research has shown that isolation increases stress, and connection decreases it. You don’t have to be best friends with someone to connect with them. Years ago I was having surgery for the first time, and I found myself sharing my anxiety with someone I didn’t know very well. To my surprise, she told me that she had had the same surgery, as had her mother. Suddenly I felt better, just knowing someone who had been through the experience I was dreading! Online resources are useful, but in person is even better. Look for a Meetup group that sounds interesting to you – even if it’s not with people going through the same transition that you’re facing. Talk to old friends, family, colleagues. You’ll discover that you’re not alone, and you might feel soothed, even if you’re still stressed!

3. Find ways to soothe yourself. In an article about change and resilience, Kathleen Smith writes that self-care is one of the most important tools for managing change and developing resilience. Whether you go for a run or watch mindless television, if it helps you feel calmer, it’s helping you to make the difficult jump from one place to another. If you find yourself gettin..