6 Ways to COPE With Change

In this article, I'm going to share with you six healthy ways to cope with change. These six ways are recommended by experts. I’ve also applied these tips in this season of change in my life. I will be sharing with you my experience and how they have helped me cope with the changes. For some of you might know, I'm making a huge career change because I felt that it's time for me to try something different. After being in the same workplace for 10 years, I am seeking to widen my horizons and perspectives.

With this decision came the changes at the workplace, my lifestyle and also picking up needful skills and taking actions to better prepare myself. The learning curve is steep, but I do enjoy the “neuroplasticity” my brain is experiencing. By applying these tips, it has helped me to cope. By sharing my story, I hope you find the courage to use these tips and hopefully bring you more joy in this season of change. Tip #1 Go with the flow. As I transit into a new career, there are exams to be taken. These exams determine if I could embark on my new career. I had finished the course and was planning to register for the exams at the end of June so that I could start the career in end September or October. However, because of the COVID situation and because of the heightened safe management measures, the exams have actually been postponed until further notice. So it is a change to my plans because this meant a delay in starting my new career, which meant delays in income stream as well. As of now, I am not sure when I can sit for the exam.

Having plans are important, but it is important to be mentally and emotionally ready to adapt and pivot.

Hence moving forward, I will take this positively, to take more time to study for the exam, so that when the exam comes I want to make sure that I pass in the first round. Tip #2 Don't go through the change alone. You will realize that there are many people around who are willing to give you a helping hand, only if you reach out, because most of the time they wouldn't know what you're going through until you tell them. So with this delay in the exam and the decision to make a career switch, I share them with my family and friends. There are definitely concerns and typical worries. However, after they have seen how determined I am, they came in to support. And I think that's very important.

Whatever change you're going through now, know that you should not go through it alone. Reach out to others. Let them know that you need help and support. Share your plans and get a different perspective. Having a friend that you can count on and having family members you can turn to is important as you are managing change. Tip #3 Don't focus on the negative (and learn from it) With the delay in exams, I see it as a chance to actually rest and take a a breather after working for 10 over years. Tip #4 Break the problem up. We may sometimes view the change as an insurmountable challenge and this can definitely get overwhelming. Perhaps take the change one step at a time. Hence, for me, I know there are many things I need to prepare for. I need to prepare for the exams. I need to pick up new skills. I need to start to talk to more people. I need to do things that are different from what I have been doing for the past 10 years. I need to be out of my comfort zone and learn again. So, if I were to see it as a whole, it will be too daunting. Before I know it, I would overthink and waste all my energy instead of executing and do what I can right now in the present. Hence by focusing on the present and breaking the problem up, for example, to focus on revising for my exam first, the change becomes easier and more manageable. Tip #5 Balance your life. There is more to life than the change itself. It is definitely easier said than done. We tend to focus on the negative a lot more, especially when faced with challenges. But know that your life is much more than the change itself, take time to connect with your family, with your friends and do the things you enjoy.

For me, I particularly like to keep myself active physically and that takes my mind off. I also like to pick up new skills and express myself creatively through video, writing and website creation. This keeps me well-balanced and that has definitely helped me. Tip #6 Know that this season of change will end. You know that every season of change will come to an end the moment we are familiar with the environment, the moment we have picked up the skills that's needed and the moment we have accustomed ourselves to the change.

Therefore, whatever change you're going through now will definitely come to an end before the next phase or season of life. The change is temporary. Right now I am experiencing the changes from picking up new skills and changes from the uncertainty. However I also know that once I have become more accustomed and more familiar in the new environment and new career, I will realize that the environment no longer feels like a change to me, but rather become familiar with it.

To help you cope with change, I've included a list of helplines below should you need to reach out to someone. Speak to someone about your problems if you find the change too overwhelming. I hope my story encourages you and I hope you find the article useful. #zoelim #mentalhealthawareness #copingwithchange Helplines (Singapore)

• National Care Hotline (1800 202 6868)

• Institute of Mental Health’s Mental Health Helpline (6389 2222)

• Samaritans of Singapore (1800 221 4444)

• Silver Ribbon Singapore (6385 3714)

• Elderly services - Agency for Integrated Care Hotline (1800 650 6060)

• TOUCHline [Counselling] (1800 377 2252)

References http://www.smj.org.sg/sites/default/files/4805/4805ra1.pdf https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK20369/ https://www.todayonline.com/big-read/big-read-enough-enough-just-what-does-it-take-break-mental-health-stigma-workplace https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/signs-mental-health-issue https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/managing-stress-anxiety.html https://www.a-star.edu.sg/sics/news-views/blog/blog/covid-19/angst-and-anger-why-does-the-covid-19-pandemic-make-us-so-upset https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165032720325891 https://www.imh.com.sg/wellness/page.aspx?id=553 https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.ft.com/content/36e06800-5298-41d1-8409-dd4b38da3a56 https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/154543 https://www.imh.com.sg/uploadedFiles/Newsroom/News_Releases/SMHS%202016_Media%20Release_FINAL_web%20upload.pdf https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/your-mental-health/about-mental-health/what-good-mental-health https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-strengthening-our-response Disclaimer: This article provides general information and discussions about health and related topics. The information and other content provided in this video, or in any linked materials, are not intended and should not be constructed as medical advice, nor is the information a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment. If you or any other person has a medical concern, you should consult with your health care provider or seek professional medical treatment.