Adjusting to Change – TPW433

This week we're talking about how change of any kind (the good or the bad) can impact our health and productivity--and how we can adjust to make change a positive thing. Adjusting to change can be difficult but in can be done For those of us who are oriented to routine, change can be difficult. Humans in general tend to prefer the familiar. We like to stay in our comfort zone, which one article describes this way: “a behavioral space where your activities and behaviors fit a routine and pattern that minimizes stress and risk" -- the operative words here being stress and risk. In our comfort zone, there is a sense of familiarity, security and certainty. When we step outside of our comfort zone, we're taking a risk, and opening ourselves up to the possibility of stress and anxiety; we're not quite sure what will happen and how we'll react.”  What happens when something occurs that forces change to our day-to-day life and disrupts the routines that help us keep a sense of equilibrium? We talked about this way back in episode 44, about Surviving (and Embracing) Change, but a recent major change in our life has me thinking about it and digging in again for help in coping. Any kind of change--even a good change, even a change we've chosen--can disrupt our routines * New spouse, new roommate, new baby  * Illness  * Houseguests  * Spouse retires or is ill or injured  * At work, a company merger or change in personnel or change in your role, moving to a new facility;   * Kids returning from college or in crisis of some kind  * Most of us experienced it when COVID kept everyone home  * A parent comes to stay (or is hospitalized and needs to be visited) Whatever the change, even when it’s a change we’ve chosen, it disrupts our schedule and the routines we rely on to give structure and form to our days, leaving us feeling off-balance and stressed. In my case, the major change we're currently navigating in our house is one we specifically chose, but it has required changes to the day's routines and “interruptions” to my normal way of doing things as another person in our household requires attention in the mornings and evenings when I normally would be following certain routines. This change also brings with it additional tasks and appointments and errands that have not been part of my days or weeks for many years. On the other hand, if we're experiencing a change that's not one we’ve chosen, the stress might be compounded by the circumstances of the change--worry, anxiety, etc. “According to health psychologist and Stanford lecturer Kelly McGonigal, Ph.D., our negative perception around change can be more debilitating than the actual stressor itself.” [quoted in How to thrive when dealing with change] “the human body is designed to experience stress and react to it. When you experience changes or challenges (stressors), your body produces physical and mental responses. That’s stress.” [from a Cleveland Clinic article, Stress] Effects of ongoing stress (from the Cleveland Clinic article mentioned just above): Physical  * Aches and pains  * Chest pain or a feeling like your heart is racing. * Exhaustion or trouble sleeping  * Headaches, dizziness or shaking  * High blood pressure