How to Overcome Anxiety and Life Transitions

18 Dec How to Overcome Anxiety and Life Transitions

Guest post from Nessie today on an interesting topic – that of anxiety and life transitions.

Life could be described as a series of transitions.

It seems we are always in a state of transit from one stage of life to another and very often transitions are difficult and accompanied by stress and anxiety. There are the usual transitions as we age and take on different and more complex responsibilities and then there are the unexpected transitions probably better described as a crisis: Relationship breakdown, financial stress, redundancy or loss of health through illness.

Most of us will experience one or more of these life challenges at some stage of our life’s journey. It would be a rare individual who glides gracefully through life transitions and crises without some measure of anxiety and psychological unease.

One of the factors in life transitions is adjusting to a new and different set of circumstances as the familiarity of the past is lost and the future is not yet certain.

There are many ways we may try to reduce the anxiety and stress that can be associated with the process of change: drinking more alcohol or eating more food is not uncommon. We may become physically sick as a response to
excessive chronic anxiety or we may take on more healthy ways of dealing with stress, such as exercise, meditation or taking up a hobby. Of course, when losses are tragic and traumatic, anxiety can be accompanied by overwhelming grief and distress. In these circumstances the support of family, friends and even professional counselors become of paramount importance.

There are several ways that offer help to people experiencing a life crisis. A medical approach utilizes medication, a psychological model assists a person to adjust psychological processes and a spiritual approach may emphasize prayer and meditation.

One of the major impacts on the field of psychology has been Mindfulness, a practice of learning to stay focused on the present moment and to let go of distressing thoughts and feelings that are attached to the past or the future. The practice of Mindfulness is subtle and may take some practice before it can be fully appreciated for its effectiveness, but it can be a powerful strategy for managing the uncertainty and anxiety associated with a life transition or a crisis.

A life transition or a crisis is by definition a time of instability and upheaval as change is forced upon us and life will not be same again. The challenge is to manage the anxiety and feelings of loss and at the same time use the opportunity for moving into a new and compelling future. Such a feat requires courage, skill and often professional support.