Simple solutions
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As we are in the beginnings of the change season we need to always take stock and think about just how able we are to make those changes.
The Central Nervous System is constantly onĀ high alert looking for threats both real and perceived. Change is a threat as there is some element of the unknown with it. This is important to understand so that you can understand the anxiety or fear that comes with making changes.
It takes 56 days to create a new neural pathway - that is doing something over and over again in order for it to start to become habitual. Until then it will feel abnormal and unfamilar.
During this time it is important to remember that you have to nurture and soothe your nervous system.
What makes you feel better in a positive way? Rather than reach for easy remedies such as food or drink or drugs (prescription, over the counter and/or recreational) have you got any other strategies to help your brain and body get through those days?
Feeling nervous, anxious or on edge?
Not being able to stop or control worrying?
Worrying too much about different things?
Trouble relaxing?
Being so restless that it is hard to sit still?
Becoming easily annoyed or irritable?
Feeling afraid as if something awful might happen?
look at each of these statements, in the last two weeks have you felt it not at all (0), several days (1), more than half the days (2) or nearly every day (3). Then count your score Scores of 5, 10, and 15 are taken as the cut-off points for mild, moderate and severe anxiety, respectively.
List your triggers for anxiety - what changes can you put into place to lessen the impact? Look at the remedies below - what could help?
breathe in lavender
go out into nature
exercise
laughter is the best medicine
hugs and cuddles
have an Epsom salt bath
Have a chamomile tea
breathe deeply - in for 5, hold for 6, out for 7, repeat 7 times
Our emotional world can be a little dysregulated when we are thinking about or attempting a change process, or indeed when change and uncertainty is thrust upon us without permission!
Use the following process to help to understand and regulate better.
Identify the emotions you are feeling and give yourself permission to feel them instead of pushing them away. Ask yourself what you need to help manage the change.
Appreciate that change means your brain is producing new neural pathways so is adapting and growing through these times. This is good and means that you are developing plasticity in the brain.
Get your house in order. What do you need to prepare in order to manage the change? What different ways do you need to embrace Preparation is key to success here!
Social support is key to successful transition - what support do you have? What do you need? What else?
Focus on the positive aspects of the change - how is your life going to improve? what is possible through the change?
If the proposed change is not for you at all then what does that tell you? How can you make changes yourself to your life?
Change is all around us.
Whether we are choosing the change or it is just a part of our social contract, it is something that we need to cope with.
I intend that the above suggestions give you a decent toolkit so that you can meet all uncertainty in the most positive way for you!
To the man who only has a hammer, everything he encounters begins to look like a nail