Managing Anxiety During Life Altering Transitions
In this week's podcast we’re answering a listener question:
I have listened to all of your podcasts, and thoroughly enjoy them. I don't recall you doing one on anxiety related to life changes, moving, new job, getting married, or all of the above. Thanks for all the wonderful support. This might be a good subject to young adults as well as others going through change that brings unintended anxiety.One thing that is certain is that change is a part of life that never ends. From the time we’re born we experience new doctors, teachers, friends, schools, jobs, health issues, homes, cities, etc. Today we’ll discuss how to navigate through transition with ease and grace.
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Notes from the show:
Going Back to School or Starting at a New School
Start getting up earlier a week before school starts
Go to the school and see your classrooms in advance
Read through school literature
Starting a New Career/Job
Get a good night’s rest before your first day
Take you time learning the nuances of your new environment
Remember that you earned your position and you won’t always be the newbie
Moving to a New City/Home
Research the area: Schools, Hospital, Libraries, Police Department, Shopping Centers
Ask your Facebook friends about the area
Give yourself extra time when en route to new destinations
The 4 Stages of Transition and how you can support yourself through each one.
- Discomfort - Change is Coming, Keep things simple, Don’t take on more responsibility
- Introspection - Quiet Time, Journaling, Walks in Nature
- Exploration - Energized, Dreaming about the future, Manifesting
- Celebration - Relief, Comfort, Enjoy the ride.
Stage 1 – Discomfort
A change is coming on. You can feel it. You can smell it. But you might not be sure what the change is or what to do about it. The more you fight it and try to get logical about this change, the longer you’ll stay in the discomfort stage.
Symptoms: Frightened, in Grief, Angry, Confused,Uncertain, Negative, Defensive, Reactive and Trapped. You may Distrust your decisions and your intuition. You are likely to Worry more than usual.
What to do: Stay with your routines that you know work for you. Don’t over commit to others at home or at work. Allow yourself to go internal when you need to. Create a Nurturing Daily Habits list and stick to it. Make these “habits” supportive, easy and fun. Create habits that nurture you without calling up willpower.
Items on our nurturing list:
Bubble bath, inspirational reading, catching the magic of a sunset, fresh cut flowers, playing on a swing set, listening to great music, yoga practice, preparing a healthy meal, writing in a gratitude journal.
As important as it is to nurture yourself through your discomfort, going internal is key to healing and flowing into a graceful transition.
Stage 2 – Introspection
You may start to protect yourself from the pain you are feeling and withdraw from the world by going into your safe and private emotional space. You begin letting go in order to allow for your new change or transition.
Symptoms:
You become Contemplative, Seeking, Questioning, Protective, Spiritual and often Emotional. You are likely Quiet, Detached and Withdrawn.
What to do:
Journaling is a good activity at this stage. Sometimes reading is helpful. Get yourself into nature, preferably alone or with just one other person. Walks on the beach, an invigorating swim, an evening around a warming campfire, digging in your garden, hike along a woodland path. Allow yourself to heal from the first stage.
When you begin healing by nurturing your mind, body and soul, its time for exploration.
Stage 3 - Exploration:
In this stage, you are starting to feel like you have some direction. You have an inkling, about your upcoming transition and what it’s all about. You are ready to learn more and give birth to this new change.
Symptoms:
You are experiencing new Energy and Security. You become Optimistic, Confident, Willing to Experiment with New Ideas, and Learning. You are Eager to Dream about new possibilities. You are looking for a new path and Ready to Commit to it. You’re discovering a Vision.
What to do:
Read about new things and continue to journal. Explore relationships and new connections. Learn more about what interests you. Take a class. Get some training. Do something creative. Allow yourself to Experiment.
Now that we have navigated through the initial discomfort of a transition, going internal to heal ourselves and rolling up our sleeves to explore new frontiers, we are ready to move into the Renaissance stage.
Stage 4 - Celebration
Your vision is becoming clear and you’re ready to take it head on.
Symptoms:
In this stage, you are highly Committed, Creative and Optimistic. You are also determined to make changes and do so at a much Faster Pace. Things seem to Flow for you. Mentally and physically, you’re at the Top of Your Game. Everything is Possible.
What to do:
Allow yourself to flow, allow things to happen. Be in love with your new discoveries and your new energy. Ride the wave.
The Transition Cycle
- Each stage can last from weeks to months.
- You’ll move more quickly through a difficult stage when you honor yourself.
- Celebration, feels like it will last forever. It doesn’t. Transitional stages are cyclic and you’ll be back to Stage 1, again later in your life.
Reflection Questions for your Journal
- What stage of transition are you experiencing right now?
- What have you learned you need to do right now for yourself and to honor the stage you are experiencing?
- What kind of support do you need to allow your transition to unfold?
EFT Tapping - Opening Statements
Even though I’m stressed out about going to a school I love and accept myself
Even though I’m feeling anxious about starting a new job, I love and accept myself
Even though I’m terrified to move to a new city, I love and accept myself
Grounding Exercises
Sample our Resonance album on CD Baby
Nutrition
Cut back or eliminate caffeine, alcohol and sugar before a big change
Nourish your body with fresh veg and whole grains.