With a Biden presidency ready to commence, the country is about to deal with a significant change. The problem is that most people don’t like change. It is uncomfortable and scary. Generally, what is uncertain feels worse than what is known. Many people would rather stick with the status quo even if a change might be good for them. We may not think about it much but we are always addressing change. Transitions are constantly occurring at work, at home, in relationships, and with important events. So, how do you cope with something that people would rather not happen? Here are some suggestions for dealing with change:

Accept Change You Can’t Control

There are some aspects of change that might be within your control but many instances have nothing to do with your choices. As unpleasant as it may feel, you need to accept these differences so you can move forward. What is the advantage of getting bogged down in resentment or worry over something that will stay the same no matter what you do? Once you accept the situation you will immediately feel better and be able to focus on other areas of your life.

Practice Self-Care

Change can be stressful even if it is has a positive outcome. For example, buying a house can feel as strained as a major work reorganization. You want to be sure to take care of yourself as an inoculation against stress. Remembering the healthy trilogy is critical during times of transition. Your ability to deal with change will be significantly reduced if you are not sleeping well, exercising, and eating healthily. Some relaxation and recreation (i.e., fun) would also help you boost your defenses.

Acknowledge Change-Related Loss

Whether it is the death of a loved one, a divorce, or a friend moving away, change often feels like a loss. It is important to grieve those losses and take appropriate steps to process them. Sometimes we minimize loss to make it easier on ourselves. Unfortunately, avoidance will only cause mournful feelings to fester. As painful as it is, we need to confront loss and all its consequences on our lives.

Think Gray

When change occurs it is easy to think in extremes. Your mind automatically goes to all the bad things that can happen. While some things that occur are genuinely negative, not every life alteration is catastrophic. Plus, some changes can be very positive, and even negative events can have a silver lining. If you do your best to think realistically, you will be prepared for what is coming rather than panicking about the worst possible outcomes.

Be Mindful

When I say be mindful, I am not saying that you need to take up an hourly mindfulness meditation practice (although there is nothing wrong with that). Being mindful can simply be a particular way to think about your life. Transitions cause us to worry about what is going to happen and make judgments about those outcomes. Being mindful helps you focus on the present and allows you to think through a specific situation without judgment.

Look For Opportunities

Change, even if it is negative, presents opportunities. Rather than focus on what you may not be able to handle, look at the possibilities that arise from particular circumstances. For example, say you are fired from your job. No doubt that is horrible news. It would be natural to worry about paying the bills and putting food on the table. However, it could allow you to explore another job that you might enjoy and pays you more money.

Keep The Rest Of Your Life “Normal”

When too many parts of your life are changing at once, you feel out of control. So, when dealing with a significant transition, it is important to keep the other parts of your life constant. If you are undergoing a divorce, for instance, you don’t want to switch jobs and get a new pet at the same time. Give yourself a chance to process the change before revising other parts of your life. That will keep you grounded enough to cope effectively with the consequences. Why add extra stress to the situation?

Social Support

Everyone needs support when going through a change. The easiest form of support is to socialize with family and friends. Although you may want to crawl into a hole, trying to deal with it all by yourself is possibly the worst thing you can do. Friends and family want to help. As an added bonus, socializing is fun. You may actually have a good time and improve your mood. For more serious problems, however, socializing may not be enough; you may need to seek help from a mental health professional.

Change Happens

Change is going to happen whether we like it or not. It may be uncomfortable, but it does not have to be feared. A transition, no matter how negative it seems, often leads to an improved situation. At worst, it is something you can grow from. By following a few suggestions and maintaining a realistic mindset you too can cope effectively with change.