Posts
A number of years ago UCLA conducted a study of common traits of long-lived people to see if the rest of us could learn how to keep breathing as long as possible. Surprisingly, the number of alfalfa sprouts eaten daily was not the primary factor in longevity – it was rather how well people adapted to change.
In general, the more adaptable you are, the longer you will live.
Easier said than done.
And here’s the key question: How do you feel about change? If you are one that likes a routine more than anything else in the world and unsolicited change just makes you crazy, you could probably be a bit more adaptable.
This starts with an open mind. Not so open that your brains fall out, mind you, but open enough to adapt to new situations with grace and a nice deep breath.
So what are the nuts and bolts of adaptability? Everyone has a different list, but here’s mine:
1. Accept that change is inevitable. If you expect things to change, you’ll feel less blind-sided.
2. Look on the bright side of change. For instance, if you’re moving to a smaller place, enjoy the idea of simplifying your life. If you lose your job, look forward to finding an even better position, or starting your own business, or retiring, if it’s time. Take the opportunity to take a break if you can.
3. Consciously approach change with curiosity and confidence toward a fresh start, a new adventure – rise to the challenge and boldly make the best of change. This gives you fortitude. Fear, however, steals your strength.
4. Grieve your losses as you need to. Not all change can be embraced without going through some sort of grieving process. Honor the memory of the situation or person you have lost by making an inexpensive scrapbook, holding onto a keepsake or honoring a cause or charity that will honor your loss.
5. Expect that weird emotions and reactions might pop up. Then you will have a choice of how to respond to them. Major change always involves some sort of process, conscious or not, and you may go through anger, depression, detachment, and other emotions that go along with grief. Or you may not! But if you are ready for this, the transition will likely be easier.
6. Stay aware of what you’d like to change in your daily life, and then take action to make changes you WANT to see. This will help you to see change as a welcome friend, not a sinister interloper.
7. Part of handling change is the fear of the unknown – what will my life be like now that… [fill in the blank]. Buffer the fear of the unknown by learning about your recent change. What are others doing in a similar situation? What can you expect? And most difficult, how do you respond when you cannot seem to figure out what to expect? Expect the best, but prepare for alternative destinies.
8. Take care of yourself. Do what’s worked in the past: beef up on supplements, do yoga, lift weights, hang out socially, talk to a friend or therapist to get clarity. Get a massage or Reiki session. Join an active class.
9. Depend on your own inner strength, or your faith in something larger than yourself, rather than on The Way Things Have Always Been. Things can be another way, and sometimes this other way is thrust upon us, and turns out to be a better way.
10. Keep breathing as long as possible! And breathe deeply. It really does help. Ask any qigong master.
Texas Holistic Arts Center offers kung fu, tai chi chuan, kickboxing, yoga, massage, Reiki and special workshops, including weaponry and Reiki instruction. http://www.texasholistics.com/ or http://www.texasnwc.com/
Copyright © Juli Hartmann 2009
