Life transitions are periods in our lives during which many changes occur. Different transitions happen to people, including getting to a significant age like 30, parenthood, marriage, losing or getting a job, losing a loved one, or becoming sick or disabled. These changes bring different feelings to different people. Some people may go through these phases smoothly, while others struggle to adjust to the changes. A typical life transition that people struggle with is getting to middle age and dealing with a midlife crisis.
When people are going through life transitions, they start evaluating their lives and their success. People also ask themselves different questions during this period, like where they are going in life, what they are currently doing, and whether it adds value to their lives. Some people have a hard time during these transitions, make some risky decisions like making extravagant purchases or even getting a divorce. However, it is possible to navigate through these transitions without getting so much stress. This article will give you tips on how you can do this.
1. Understand that Change is Inevitable
According to research, everyone spends almost half of their life adapting to changes in their lives. These changes are also occurring at a higher frequency in today’s life. You need to understand that other people have also gone through the transitions in your life right now, although the circumstances of these changes are unique for everyone. This means that someone out there understands what you are going through, and therefore, you do not have to feel alone. Many online resources can help you during this phase as you interact with an online community that is also going through similar transitions.
2. Give Yourself Time
Navigating through life changes can take up to five years, but this duration varies among different people. Your life transition may even take longer, and it is vital to understand that this is part of life. You may not know how tomorrow will be, but it is essential to understand that this phase shall pass. These changes will take time to pass, and that is okay. Please do not give up when it takes too long to end but instead, keep your hope alive.
3. Do Lots of Exercises
It is common for people to get mental health problems when they are going through various life transitions. These problems can range from high stress levels to depression, and some people have even ended up committing suicide. It is essential to identify a coping skill that will help you avoid such problems. One of the things that you can do to stay mentally and physically healthy is exercise. You do not need extreme exercise to be okay, but you can start with a simple activity like walking or jogging.
With time, you can graduate to higher exercise like working out in the gym. Activity triggers your brain to release some feel-good hormones that help to calm you down. You will also avoid lifestyle diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure, making it harder to navigate through the transition of life that you are going through.
4. Avoid Self-Medication
It is common for people to try out different medications when they are going through stressful life events. When you self-medicate, you numb your feelings and avoid facing them. This is an unhealthy coping mechanism that can eventually harm you. All medications have side effects, and some of these effects can be detrimental to your health. It is advisable to deal with the feeling that you have rather than escaping them. The Lifeworks LLC life coaching professionals say you can talk to a counselor that will take through positive coping mechanisms. You can also benefit from therapy rather than taking medications.
5. Engage in Mindfulness and Gratitude
Gratitude refers to taking your time to appreciate the things you should be thankful for and documenting them in your life. This means that you start looking for something to be grateful for even in your darkest moments. Practicing gratitude helps you to stay positive as you go through life transitions, and this reduces your stress.
On the other hand, mindfulness refers to awareness of our thoughts and feelings but not allowing them to distract us. It also refers to avoiding judgment and being present in the moment. You will be happier in life when you practice gratitude, and your navigation through life changes will be less stressful.
6. Have a Support System
Another way to navigate through life is to have a support system willing to help you through this journey. Your support system can be your family, friends, or through joining a support group. It is vital to open up to the people you trust to know how to help you. The people who are willing to help do not know how to do that, and therefore, they may offer some vague help. It is essential to accept help when someone offers, and you can even tell them the support you require.
7. Focus on Your Successful Transitions
There are different transitions that you will go through in life. Some of them will be easy, while others will be difficult and hard to navigate. You may currently be going through a more immense and more challenging transition than your previous ones. It is crucial to remember a prior life transition and how you successfully went through it when this happens. This will remind you that you can also make it through the change that you are currently facing. It will remind you to keep going on even during your lowest moments.
8. Be Creative
You can also go through life transitions by being creative. You can explore different things like art, writing, or even gardening and see where it takes you. There is something about life transitions that arouses creativity. For instance, during the COVID19 pandemic, many people have become creative, like creating TikTok videos, and this has helped them survive during this challenging phase and earn a living.
In summary, life transitions happen to everyone, but sometimes it can be hard to cope with these changes. However, there are some things that you can do to survive during these challenging times, like practicing gratitude, seeking help, exercise and giving yourself time. You can also navigate through these transitions by being creative and focusing on your successful changes.