Program & Services

Living Healthy, Working Well Through Change

None of us are immune from change. We experience change every day. Some are common, like driving through a detour maze to get to work. Some are life altering, like the loss of a loved one. It's not that we don't expect change in our lives. It's just that it would be nice to have some warning. Here are some of the types of change you might experience:

• Relationship changes- marriage, ending of relationship, or the loss of spouse or family member
• Workplace changes- company merger, loss of employment, or a job promotion
• Quality of life and lifestyle changes- a new baby, adoption, relocation, elderly parents, or illness

Into Our Lives a Little Change Must Fall

We can all expect some changes in our lives. Each of us will handle it in different ways. Some of us are frozen by change. It is difficult to make a decision. Others may feel energized to make positive moves in their lives. Some of us may even be able to see change coming. However you react to change, it's best to weigh your options by seeking out people who can help you make the best decisions.

Change Brings Stress

The very word "change" means to put aside, end, or move on to something new. That alone can cause stress. Change follows a process and understanding the change process is important to lowering stress and moving forward. Keep in mind that everyone deals with change in their own way.

The Process of Change

Stage One - Denial. The first response to change is to deny or minimize it. Some people have a shock-like reaction that lets the person continue on as if nothing has happened. It may look like the person is doing just fine. But it is more likely that the person doesn't want to face the change in his or her life.

Stage Two - Anger. After the reality of the change sinks in, this next stage can bring out anger, anxiety and depression. "Why did this happen to me?" is a common thought. This is the stage where uncertainty, self-doubt and low self-esteem begin to surface. People focus on what the change is doing to them right now. They don't want to look ahead and may be holding themselves back through self-defeating thoughts or acts.

Stage Three - Looking forward . After going though denial and anger, most people begin to look to the future. They will begin to look at other possibilities, new opportunities, and will begin looking for the good that may come out of the change.

Stage Four - Acceptance and new commitment. This is the final stage of the change process. By this stage, people have developed new goals. They have made a shift from anxiety to renewed self-confidence. This is the time people often describe as feeling like a weight has been lifted off their shoulders. The past is not forgotten, but today is here and the future awaits.

There is no timetable when dealing with change. People move through the stages at their own speed. You can't make another person hurry up to be on your timetable.

Some people try to shortcut these stages. They jump from denial to commitment without addressing anger, loss, sadness, and anxiety. It doesn't mean these feelings don't exist. They mistake feeling numb as having gone through the states. But these feelings will surface sooner or later. The person will have to deal with them then.

Healthy Ways of Dealing with Change

Be open to the fact that change happens. It makes dealing with change easier when it does happen. The following are some tips for dealing with changes as they occur.

• Recognize that change is a part of life. Life would be boring if things didn't change. Change keeps us fresh, alive.
• Anticipate change. Don't become too complacent. Being flexible and open to change will lessen the surprise when it does happen.
• Learn to enjoy change. Understand that change is a part of life.
• Expect that change will happen over and over -and over again. Life is a series of changes.