Change is a Beautiful Thing

'The secret of change is to focus all your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new.'-Socrates.

It happened again. A friend called about how he was being let go of at his workplace and how much of a blow that was. We have most of us been there. Being let go of at work, in a relationship, in a friendship. Changes to the status quo , foreseen or unforeseen, which leave us reeling and gripped with shock. 

Had and would it have been so much better if we had seen it coming? In hindsight , we like to think so. Like to think that forewarned is forearmed. But really, the intensity of the moment when the news is confirmed is the same as if we had never been forewarned to begin with. 

Stress causes a number of changes including elevated heart rate and respiration, suppression of the digestive system, increased blood flow, and immune suppression.

Fight or Flight

All of your physiological resources are diverted from normal functions to prepare you for fight or flight. Ideally, once the perceived threat disappears, then the hormones and chemicals will leave your system and your body function reverts to normal
Stress can and does also cause only some of the below :

• Poor immune function
• Insomnia
• Anxiety
• Muscle tension and pain
• High blood pressure
• Heart disease
• Obesity
• Depression

You are in Control !!

• Create an action plan: The World of Psychology suggests preparing instead of worrying. in this way, you will feel more in control of the situation, which should help minimize your stress. This preparation should also help you reduce uncertainty, which will minimize worrying about the unknown associated with upcoming change.
• Build a strong support network:  Seek mutually supportive relationships among multiple social groups, such as friends, family, work, volunteer activities, church, and hobbies. Having people you can lean on during your upcoming changes will ease the way.
• Take care of your physical health: Eat healthy foods, exercising, finding time to relax, and getting plenty of sleep can help you cope with stress. This is especially important if you know big changes are on the horizon.
• Eat healthy: This will help boost your brain's serotonin levels, which will combat higher cortisol associated with stress.
• One change at a time: Minimize other changes in your life as you prepare for a big change. For example, if you're going to be changing jobs soon it will be best not to attempt to change personal habits at the same time

Throughout our lives, we experience both change and stress many times. But you can learn to effectively deal with the associated stress and realize you are in control. !