Change is constant, and it occurs in all sectors of our lives. Whether it’s a career transition, a relocation to a new city, a shift in relationship status, or retirement, these life transitions may be exciting and overwhelming at the same time. These changes mean growth and new opportunities, but they can also trigger severe emotional reactions. Here is a blog posted by professional therapists at Art Therapy Guelph, where they share five positive ways of dealing with such times.
Understanding Life Transitions
Basically, life transitions involve stages where an individual’s normal functioning is forced to undergo transformation. These turning points might be significant, like marriage, divorce, or the birth of a child; on the other hand, they can be minor, like changing jobs or moving to a new place. At times, we may feel fearful of change and transition. However, focusing on what is in our control can help us gain perspective on the value of our worried thoughts. Will our worried thoughts help in this situation? If they will not and the situation is out of our control, it’s best to sit with our feelings.
The changes may have a psychological impact on people, and each individual may experience them differently. Understanding the meaning of life transitions and their phases can assist a person in better understanding what to expect and building healthier responses.
Strategy 1: Embrace Change And Acceptance
Since the main purpose of managing life transitions is adapting to change, the first principle in this process is accepting and welcoming change. Sitting with our feelings can help us eliminate negativity, which inevitably displaces the positive attitude gained when one embraces change. Different techniques, like mindfulness exercises or journaling, can train acceptance.
For instance, one of the clients felt a lot of improvement upon using art therapy and then writing down the ideas and feelings that came out in her art regarding her career changes, which helped her a lot in transitioning to the said change.
Strategy 2: Seek Support and Connection
As we go through various life transitions, social support becomes essential. Feeling lonely is never productive therefore, it is always good to talk to friends, family, or support groups you know. There also exists professional help like life transition therapy. Counselors are there to guide you, provide advice and solutions on how to deal with such situations and or just give you a cry to hear about your feelings.
Strategy 3: Develop a Routine and Structure
People find comfort in routine when circumstances in their lives are unpredictable. Further, carving out a healthy daily routine that includes all sorts of activities enable you to regain some sort of control over the events. Fitness activity, good diet, and sound sleep are some of the main requirements for the healthy lifestyle. One should begin with a 5-10 minute morning walk, deep breathing, or running. Since It can be very useful in setting a positive outlook on the day and dealing with stress.
Strategy 4: Set Realistic Goals and Prioritize Self-Care
Focusing on realistic targets can enhance the passion and drive during change processes within an individual’s life. It’s possible to achieve goals by following the SMART goal-setting criteria that include; Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Thus, the levels of self-care and self-compassion should also be equally high. Spending time on hobbies and relaxation that gives one pleasure, such as reading books, gardening, or having a bath.
Strategy 5: Practice Resilience and Positive Thinking
To have resilience means the capacity to reclaim one’s stability after a difficult phase; thus, it is the key to managing life changes. Methods of stress recovery consist of such mechanisms as cognitive-behavioral approaches and encouraging words. Having hope also plays another interesting role in being able to cope since optimism also goes hand in hand with hope. For instance, one client reported that by shifting her attention to the possible gains of her decision to relocate to a new city, she was able to decrease her level of worry and accept the change.
you can also read this article : role of cbt for depression in emotional wellness
The Impact of Trauma and Stress on Relationships
Some changes in one’s life can cause post-traumatic stress or bring stress into a person’s life and interpersonal relationships. It explains that trauma can act up during significant shifts and bring about psychosocial stress and relationship tension. A lot of stress is produced by major changes in our lives, which in turn has a direct impact on family members and may result in confusion and misunderstandings, thereby resulting in family disputes. That is why it is helpful to identify such potential problems and work on their resolution beforehand.
you can also read this article : what is trauma a detailed guide
Conclusion
There is no denying the fact that change is inevitable, but by making conscious efforts to change, seeking help, establishing a healthy schedule, setting achievable targets, and implementing coping skills, these transitions can be handled better. However, as stated before, turning to life transition therapy will help to gain more additional tools and ideas. Be kind to yourself and acknowledge the improvement, as the process of change takes time. You will be strong enough to thrive through the change and enjoy the life that you rightly deserve.
If you need professional support, Art Therapy Guelph is here to help. Contact us to schedule a consultation and start your journey towards a brighter future.