The Impact of Life Transitions on Mental Health
You may have heard about life transitions. In fact, you have probably had a few to deal with already in your life. A life transition is any type of change in life that affects it in a big way. Life transitions occur throughout our lives, even when we are very young. For example, think about the massive impact that going to school can have on a young child. Instead of spending every day at home with mom or dad, they are now going out to elementary school and spending a substantial part of their day with other kids and an adult they do not know. This can be quite traumatic for some children; thankfully, though, it is something that most cope with very well.
Transitions That Affect Our Lives
Life transitions usually coincide with the loss of something. So, when you change school or job, for example, you are losing old friends or a familiar routine. Some transitions are completely wonderful, such as the birth of a child or getting married, but others can be quite daunting and include things like divorce, serious illness, and even death. Additionally, even the most desired transitions can cause stress for some. We all handle change very differently.
Life transitions come with a range of emotions and even those anticipated changes that are considered joyous can also come with various feelings alternating between good and bad. It is not uncommon for instance to feel both joy and anxiety at the same time. This can happen during a home move, when you have a child, retire, graduate, get promoted, etc. The therapists at Miami-based Psych Blossom say that it is not uncommon for life transitions to affect our mental health.
Stress and anxiety can occur when big changes happen in our lives; getting used to new routines can be a major challenge for some people. No matter how positive the transition is, the impact on mental, and often physical health can be severe. It is important therefore to know how to deal with these life changes.
Tips for Dealing with Life Transitions
There are some life transitions that you can prepare for, such as a marriage, a birth, or a change of job, but sometimes changes occur so suddenly that they can take the wind out of your sails very quickly. If possible, try to get yourself ready for any upcoming changes by setting small goals. Do not try to do everything at once, as putting too much pressure on yourself can leave you feeling like a failure.
Developing a routine as quickly as possible will help you to adapt to the change sooner rather than later. It might mean that you start getting up at a certain time of the day and include a morning meditation into your routine to help relieve stress; it could mean going to bed at the same time every night to ensure you are getting enough sleep. Whatever helps you to deal with the change in your life and to limit stress and anxiety is a good thing.
If you feel that your mental health is suffering because of a life transition, it is good to talk. It might be that you spend time talking things over with your partner or a close family member or friend. Alternatively, you can speak to a counselor who will help you to deal with the issues in a non-judgmental environment. This is especially important if you’re feeling stuck, unmotivated, or too conflicted about the changes taking place.
A good therapist will help you to explore and make sense of your feelings and will encourage you to accept them before supporting you with ways to deal with them. Learning how to express emotions and feelings in healthier ways can really help when it comes to dealing with life transitions.
