“What’s Happening?!” “The last two years have been horrendous!”Life is a journey. Cliché but true. At least once in our life, we are presented a major transition point as we travel our path. This major point can be traumatic. People, careers, money, friends and family seem to uncontrollably dissolve away. Despite our pain and disbelief, one thing after another seems to be taken from us. Sometimes, it feels like no matter what we do our life seems ripped from our very grasp.These major life transitions, while dramatic and traumatic, are gifts in disguise. It assists us in moving from one place we live into a new, better place to live. It’s like you have lived in one hotel room and now you want to move into the deluxe suite: you have to leave your room and go through the hallway to the new deluxe suite. And, in going into the hallway, realize that it can be hard. Travelling through the hallways can be hell.While we get caught up in the immediate moment of release, like, “He broke up with me!” or “I lost my job!” our emotions can drive us to the depths or fear, anger and despair. In times like this, it is critical to walk the hallways of major transition with some emotional, spiritual and physical survival skills:Emotional
- Control the sources of fear and anxiety you can control. If a particular situation feels out of your control, you may be able to change something about the situation to make it feel less stressful to you. For example, if you feel anxious about losing your job, figure out a way to approach a new one. Think about your next steps to land a new job. Look at the flexible side of stressful situations.
- Avoid sources of anxiety you can’t control. If a certain type of situation makes you feel anxious, it’s OK to simply avoid it. If you hate flying, and don’t feel this fear is ever going to abate, it’s OK to drive. Know your limits, and practice self-preservation.
- Ask for help. For many people, talking about anxiety is a very helpful release. If you need to vent, ask your spouse or a friend for advice and tell them how you feel. Sometimes just putting your feelings into words can take a lot of stress away.
Spiritual
- Practice meditation. Relaxation and meditation routines are very effective at lowering anxiety levels. There are many different types of meditation, so it’s best to experiment with a few different methods and choose the one that makes you feel the most comfortable and relaxed.
- Ask for guidance. This is a spiritual time of release that is opening up for you. If you see it as that, the daily tasks of moving forward become a little lighter.
- There is hope. Regardless of what you feel, there is at least one thing you have in your life that is hopeful and positive. No matter what it is, see it and be grateful for it. Hope above all else, will pull you through.
Physical
- Try a natural remedy. Certain herbs, teas, and supplements are said to decrease symptoms of anxiety.
- Get a Treatment to reduce stress. This is a time where massage, acupuncture or reiki will help.
- See a doctor. If you experience prolonged anxiety that affects your ability to sleep and go about your day for an extended period of time, it’s time to schedule an appointment with a doctor.
Traveling through the hallways of life can be difficult but there are survival techniques we can use as we make our way to our new suite. The hallways allow us to completely eject the old ways and things that truly do not serve us anymore in preparation of a new phase of our life. We can walk the hallways purposefully rather than crawl through them as we reach our new suite with energy and joy.