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By the time you read this we will be either consumed by the Coronavirus or it will be all over and things will have returned to normal… My guess is it will be the former!

I’ve lived through several world events and recessions and at the time they always seemed to present us with ‘end of the world’ scenarios. Now I don’t want to be the bearer of negative news but it does seem to me that the current situation could change most of our lives for ever and most of us are very bad a dealing with change! So, I thought a few tips on dealing with change might help us all…

Acknowledge that things are changing

Sometimes we get so caught up in fighting change that we put off actually dealing with it. Denial is a powerful force, and it protects us in many ways. However, stepping outside of it and saying to yourself, “Things are changing, and it is okay” can be less stressful than putting it off.

Keep up your regular schedule as much as possible

The more change that is happening, the more important it is to stick to your regular schedule – as much as possible. Having some things that stay the same, like walking the dog every morning at 8 am, gives us an anchor. An anchor is a reminder that some things are still the same, and it gives your brain a little bit of a rest. Sometimes when you are going through a lot of change it helps to write down your routine and check it off as you go. It’s one less thing for your brain to have to hold inside.

Try to eat as healthily as possible

When change happens, a lot of us tend to reach for carbs – bread, muffins, cake, etc. This may be because eating carbs boosts serotonin – a brain chemical that may be somewhat depleted when you undergo change (stress). It’s okay to soothe yourself with comfort foods – in moderation. One way to track what you are eating is to write it down. You can either do this in a notebook or use an app. When you see what you are eating, it makes you take a step back and think about whether you want to eat that second muffin or not. (If you have a history of eating disorders, it is not recommended that you write down what you are eating.) Also notice if you are experiencing an increased use of alcohol or other substances; your use can sneak up on you when you are under stress.

Exercise

Keeping up regular exercise could be a part of the “keep up your regular schedule” tip. If exercise is not currently part of your routine, try adding it. Exercising two to three times a week has been found to significantly decrease symptoms of depression. Even just walking around the block can help you feel better.

Seek support

No one gets through life alone. It is okay to ask for help; that’s a sign that you know yourself well enough to realise you need some assistance. Think of your trusted friends or family members. Chances are that they are happy to help if you need them to watch your kids while you run some errands, or if you just need some alone time

Get proactive

Being proactive means taking charge and working preventatively. This means you figure out what steps you need to take before something happens. Being reactive means you wait until something has happened and then you take action.

Back away from social media

When you go through change, you may gravitate toward social media – maybe posting to your friends on Facebook what is going on in your life. First, make sure you are in a calm state when you post – and keep in mind that whatever you post never really disappears. Also, if you are comparing your life to your friends’ lives on social media, remember that most people post only the “highlight reel” of their lives, not the stressful moments. This can give you a skewed view that everyone else’s lives are going just fine. Everyone has battles they are fighting; it’s just different battles with different people. Step away from social media if you are starting to compare your life to others.

Give yourself a break

In a time of change, you may feel a little out of control. You may feel like you are not living up to your expectations for yourself. Remember that you are allowed to do less than what is humanly possible. Nothing says you have to function at 100 percent all the time.

Finally, and this might be hard under the current circumstances but try to make a point of incorporating more laughter and fun into your life. Laughing increases dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins – and that makes you feel good. Laughing also decreases cortisol – a stress-producing hormone.