A rapid change in our lives can be an enormous source of stress. If the past couple of years has taught us anything, the long-term effects of change on the mind and body can be debilitating if left unchecked.
Change in our lives can be a positive or negative occurrence; however, the toll on the body and mind can be enormous in either scenario. Regardless of whether we’ve landed an exciting new job or lost one, the resulting sense of anxiety and depression can be equally felt as the sudden change in our lives affects how we behave.
Today’s blog will dive into the effects of rapid change on the mind and body and what we can do to help process the thoughts and feelings we experience. We’ll also be looking at the power of breathing and how we can use our breath as a tool to work through the stressors of sudden change.
Read on!
A Matter of Control
One of the key focuses of stress and anxiety management is the idea of losing control. When we find ourselves in a situation where profound change occurs in our lives, we can often feel as though we are unable to control the outcome. In many cases, this can be true – however, accepting that notion is difficult.
When faced with scenarios we cannot control, it's essential to allow ourselves to accept when outcomes are beyond our control and to instead focus on the processes that are. A common technique for this is to create a to-do list of tasks that you can complete independently of the change you are experiencing, as this can help alleviate the anxiety felt from the broader change.
Reflect & Recharge
During periods of rapid change in our lives, it can be challenging to feel as though we’re able to relax as we attempt to anticipate the following situation. As a result, it can be hugely challenging to take time to reflect and look inward to assess how we feel.
Being mindful can be a vital asset in combating anxiety during periods of abrupt change as it allows us to evaluate our negative thoughts and emotions more clearly, making it easier to shift towards a more positive outlook.
If you’d like to learn more about breathing techniques you can use to reflect and relax in a mindful state, check out our earlier blog entry here.
Prioritize Your Sleep
One of the most affected areas of our daily lives, when we undergo rapid change, is our ability to sleep soundly.
Sleep is one of the most important ways to recharge our minds and bodies when dealing with rapid changes in our lives, so it pays to ensure we maintain as healthy a sleep schedule as possible.
Healthy habits include winding down away from digital screens and ensuring we have the total recommended amount of sleep our bodies require.
For more information on how you can achieve better sleep, try one of our relaxing breathing techniques in our earlier blog here.
For more information regarding how to manage your breathing for a more effective lifestyle, visit our other blogs here at The Exhale to get the latest tips and tricks. For free guided breathing exercises that you can take anywhere, try out the Breathwrk app here.
And remember: Breathe Better, Live Better.
Ciao!
