Life transitions are periods of transformation in our lives that mark the beginning of something new. Whether it's the start of a new job, a move to a different city, or a major life event such as a marriage, divorce, or the birth of a child, life transitions can be exciting and overwhelming all at once. They can cause us to feel a range of emotions, from fear and excitement to joy and sadness.
Major life transitions can be overwhelming and stressful. Knowing how to manage life changes and stressors is important in keeping you healthy and maintaining your overall well being. Every person will have their own coping mechanisms that best serve them. However, here are a few things you can try that may help you manage the life transitions you are currently experiencing.
Journaling is keeping a written record of your experiences, feelings, and thoughts. Keeping a record of your thoughts and feelings can help you process your emotions and help with self-reflection. Journaling works best when done consistently, but even occasional, sporadic journaling can be stress relieving when the practice is focused on gratitude or emotional processing.
Mindfulness is a type of meditation in which you focus on being intensely aware of what you're sensing and feeling in the moment, without interpretation or judgment. Being mindful involves incorporating breathing exercises, utilizing guided imagery, and other techniques to ease the mind and body, ultimately reducing stress, worry, and exhaustion.
Going to a therapist can provide you with insight, perspective, and coping strategies, helping you to gain a better understanding of yourself and your relationships. Regardless of what type of life transition you are experiencing, a trained mental health provider can offer you tools and guidance to support you in your transition.
If you’re ready to start therapy now, take our brief match questionnaire to share your preferences and receive up to 3 provider recommendations.
Adopting hobbies can be a beneficial addition to therapy, medication, and good self care when it comes to working towards mental wellness, particularly during life transitions that can lead to anxiety or depression.
Research conducted in New Zealand uncovered that engaging in activities that stimulate one's creative side can lead to improved mental health over the long run. Those who took part in the study reported feelings of positivity and elation after a few days of creative activity.
A support system is a group of people who provide you with support when you need it most. This can be mental, emotional, and or practical, such as with finances, childcare, etc. They are also there when things are going well to sustain you and keep you going.
People in your support system should care for you, show you compassion, love you, be there for you, and be stable. And you should do the same for them—relationships are a two-way street.
Getting a good night's sleep is absolutely essential for your mental wellbeing. During sleep, your brain is able to go through processes that help it work at its absolute best. If you don't get enough quality rest, you may experience memory loss, irritability, and depression.
Building a “sleep toolkit” can help you improve your sleep hygiene and stick to a consistent sleep schedule.
Having a positive relationship with food means that you can enjoy all types of food without feeling guilty or restricted. You should be able to eat whatever makes you feel good, both physically and mentally, and all foods should be viewed as neither "good" nor "bad".
Mindful eating may be a good place to start if you’re looking to improve your eating habits. There are different components to eating mindfully such as being intentional with your shopping list, trying new foods or ingredients to see how your body feels or reacts to it, and eating slowly.
Self-care isn’t one size fits all. Exploring what self-care activities best serves you is important in creating your self-care routine as you manage different life transitions. Additionally, your self-care shouldn’t bring you stress. Self-care is most effective when it becomes a normal part of our everyday lifestyle, used as a preventative measure rather than a reactionary one.
MyWellbeing matches you to the right provider that specializes in what matters most to you. Our match form takes less than 5 minutes to complete, and you'll immediately receive 3 provider recommendations that fit your needs. All of the providers on MyWellbeing offer a free phone consultation to assess fit and see if you two should work together. Click below to get matched!
Jareena is MyWellbeing's Community Manager and is dedicated to supporting MyWellbeing's providers in order for them to offer the best possible care for you. Jareena is a mental health advocate and aims to identify ways to destigmatize discussions around mental health and how to make care more accessible.
