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Any life transition – be it something wonderful like marriage or promotion or dreadful like an illness or break-up – can trigger various emotions, and not all of them will be positive. Anxiety, insomnia, mood swings, burnout – this is an incomplete list of feelings a person can experience when something good or bad happens in their life. Unfortunately, when any of these struggles are ignored for a prolonged time, a mental health disorder may develop – and it would be particularly terrible if the event that was supposed to generate nothing but happiness triggers an illness.
In our guide we will emphasize the importance of mental health during life transitions, outline the techniques you can adopt to make your life better in a challenging period, and explain whether you need therapy when dealing with a life transition.
Understanding Life Transitions and Their Impact on Mental Health
While a new chapter in life can bring joy and fulfillment, even positive changes often bring negative thoughts and feelings – for example, you may be excited to move to a new city but you also miss your friends and the familiarity of your hometown and feel anxious and stressed about the practical side of relocation. There is nothing wrong with that – on the contrary, this is a very human reaction to change especially if deep down you realize you cannot go back to the way things were.
Regardless of your age, social status, and the nature of the life transition, your mental health will be impacted by a major life change you did not expect. When it happens, it is important to take a step back and look at the bigger picture – what if this change will impact your life negatively? Be honest with yourself and carefully analyze your perception of any big change you go through to maintain your emotional balance.
Common Mental Health Challenges During Life Transitions
When you are dealing with major changes in your life, your emotions are understandably all over the place – even if the significant event you have prepared for is beneficial, there can be negative thoughts as you are re-evaluating the importance of different aspects of your life. Here are a few challenges you may encounter when something drastically changes in your life:
| Challenge | Description |
| Uncertainty | You entered an uncharted territory or are forced to navigate a situation you have not been in for quite some time – whether you were diagnosed with a serious illness, divorced, or started a new job, you feel you can no longer predict what awaits you in the future |
| Loneliness | If you were the only one in your family or circle of friends to deal with a life-changing event, you may feel isolated from other people who cannot relate to your experiences – and in many situations, it is not their fault. Make sure your loneliness does not turn into isolation as you are embarking on a new journey |
| Sadness | Over the course of our lives we are forced to go through major changes we were not ready for or whose consequences we do not approve of – this may lead to grief and stress that do not leave your mind for many months and years |
Practical Strategies for Managing Mental Health During Transitions
Many life transitions are inevitable or at the very least, necessary; these significant changes can lead to major stress, anxiety, and depression. Follow these tips to be certain you are taking good care of your mind in these difficult times:
| Mental Health Advice | Description |
| Find Solace in Your Comfort Zone | It is well-known that stepping out of your comfort zone is encouraged – however, when your life is in shambles and you are looking for consistency, there is nothing better than relying on something you are familiar with. Enjoy things that bring you the most comfort while the transition is happening |
| Adopt Healthy Habits | From better sleep hygiene to regular workouts – there are numerous things you can implement in your daily routine to feel better. When your physical health improves, you will also feel changes in your mental well-being |
| Rely on a Support System | Having someone to talk to does not necessarily mean opening up to a therapist – if you feel that sharing your worries with a partner or friend is enough for you, then this can be the best source of strength for you |
| Document Your Experience | Pay attention to the changes in your mood and behavior from one day to another. It can be a good idea to journal your thoughts before you go to bed – see if your mental health is deteriorating or if there is progress after a few weeks of pouring your heart out in a personal diary |
The Importance of Building Resilience
Here are a few suggestions you should take into account if you are currently coping with life changes:
- Remember that if there is anything you can control, it is your choices and reactions. Remain your own boss – while the behavior of others is out of your hands, you get to choose a positive outlook in the face of any challenge. Take a deep breath and remind yourself that it is up to you to figure out where to spend your mental resources.
- Embrace the changes in your life. No matter how dire the situation is right now, there is a possibility of turning things around – at the very least, you can find joy and peace in exploring new activities and meeting new people.
- Adopt a few techniques aimed at managing stress. There are certain things that do not require much time if you are busy at the moment – for instance, increasing the amount of water you drink, meditating for a few minutes daily, and creating a safe and calm space for yourself at home with the help of aromatherapy will cheer you up.
When to Seek Professional Support
While there is no one-size-fits-all solution for people who go through challenging times, keep the therapy option in your mind at all times. There are specific life transition support services whose purpose is to help individuals bring back balance to their lives.
When the life transition is planned and you have everything mapped out yet you worry about the potential consequences of your actions, try to fit a therapy session in your schedule. The situation is more complicated when a major life event occurs against your will and you feel stranded and isolated – in this case, therapy should be one of the key mental health strategies to implement to improve your situation. As soon as you recognize the need for support, check online if there are any local therapists that specialize in helping individuals with similar hardships.
Mentally Adapting to Life Transitions
Give serious consideration to your mental health during life transitions – even if the event you have anticipated for a long time favors you, any major change in life cannot be taken lightly. Practice mindfulness, stay alert, ask people around you if they have noticed an odd shift in your behavior that looked worrying to them – in order to avoid any kind of inner turmoil, you should be in touch with your feelings and emotions daily.
Accept the things you cannot control, adapt to new circumstances, and be on the constant lookout for things that bring you certainty and stay the same regardless of external circumstances.
FAQs
- How can a life transition impact my mental health?
It is crucial to maintain mental wellness during transitions in your life – you often lose your stability and security especially when the change you are going through brings nothing but grief. Although it is a complicated task, bear your mental state in mind instead of putting it on the back burner so that you do not make things worse.
- Can a positive life transition make me sad?
Yes, even when something objectively great happens in your life, you may experience conflicting emotions, including sadness, anxiety, guilt, and uncertainty. This does not mean you should not have taken this step but it may be beneficial to address your negative feelings to avoid long-term impact on your psyche.
- How can I take care of my mental health during life transitions?
Balance is the key – practice things that change your physical and mental health for the better, depend on trusted sources of joy and pleasure (old friends, hobbies, and habits), and deepen the bond with your loved ones by sharing your troubles with them.
- Is it important to build resilience?
It is proven that open-minded people who are willing to adapt can tolerate all sorts of life transitions better – they adjust to new circumstances no matter how different or sometimes challenging they are. Moreover, being ready to go through changes will benefit you in unexpected ways – you will be less anxious and more enthusiastic about any kind of development in your professional or personal life.
- Do I need therapy during a major life transition?
In case you feel you cannot handle stress on your own, there is always an opportunity to try therapy. Whether you feel more comfortable sitting in a chair across from a person or you give online chats a shot, there are numerous options to seek professional help nowadays – find strength in prioritizing your well-being.
