We’ve all had to handle change at some point in our lives, and it’s rarely an easy process. From a big move to a new job to the end of a relationship – it’s not easy to just ‘turn and face the strange,’ á la David Bowie.
Research indicates that the adjustments accompany change – even positive change – actually cause the body to feel stressed and less in control. According to Neuroscientist Dean Burnett, there’s a simple reason why we feel this way: change causes uncertainty, and in an evolutionary sense, the brain equates uncertainty with potential threats.
Of course, we can’t resist change because nothing stays the same forever. So, what should we do?
Well, we must get better at dealing with the effect it has on us. You can start by focusing on what you have control over. Make a to-do list of the things you can do to make the transition process easier, and check each item off once you complete it.