WELL MIND
Time for a CHANGE THE WORLD HAS BEEN TURNED UPSIDE DOWN AND, FOR MANY OF US, OUR LIVES WITH IT. CHANGE CAN BE CHALLENGING – TERRIFYING, EVEN – BUT IT CAN’T BE AVOIDED. HOW TO LEARN TO EMBRACE IT FOR A BETTER LIFE
By DR NATALIE FLATT The pandemic has brought about radical, unexpected changes to most people’s environments and, as would be expected, we see varied responses to those changes.
need to adapt to change, even that we’re making within ourselves. Even when we complain about not being happy with our current position, it doesn’t mean we’re ready to launch into something different.
As the number of COVID-19 cases rose by the minute across the globe, so too did the impact it was having on people and community mental health. During this time, we have witnessed a sharp rise in pre-existing mental health challenges becoming apparent due to the stringent rules of self-isolation, job uncertainty, working from home, home schooling, relationships - not to mention fear of the virus itself.
THE CYCLE OF CHANGE We can try to use denial to soften the “shock” blow. If a change is big and unexpected our first reaction is shock, then denial. We try to live our normal “pre-change” existences before our brain can decipher the feelings of fear and discomfort and learn to adjust to the different news/environment/ situation.
Change in general, can be challenging, especially in times when it comes suddenly and unexpectedly. Our challenge with change is not because we’re obstinate; rather, because we’re human and we 28 | THRIVE #3
Change brings a spectrum of emotions - and some are uncomfortable. We like to feel safe and happy. This is our comfort zone. We like to follow a routine and you can predict the consequences. Outside of the comfort zone, your assumptions can be challenged. As 19th century novelist James Lane Allen
