1. Create Consistency Where You Can

A major life change can make everything seem different. You might feel like everything is out of control. Finding little ways to take charge of your life and create consistency can help. Say you need to move to assisted living to get the support you need. Taking your favorite furniture pieces and home decor gives you a sense of familiarity. Keeping your daily schedule similar to what you did in your previous home can also help.

2. Anticipate How the Change Will Affect You

Sometimes, change happens with no warning. Other times, you know a change is coming, so you have a little time to prepare. You won't always know what life will look like on the other side of change, but thinking about how it could affect you can help you prep. As you get ready to retire, you might do some financial planning to get an idea of how the change will affect your budget. If you're diagnosed with a chronic illness, you might research the symptoms and progression to anticipate what you might experience.

3. Take Action

You might not be able to stop change from happening or make the situation a completely positive one, but you can take some action to deal with it. If you or your partner suddenly needs long-term care, you might review your long-term care policy to see what it covers, or you might start visiting long-term care communities. If you receive a new health diagnosis, you can schedule appointments with specialists and make dietary changes that can support your health. Taking action can give you some amount of control over the situation. It helps you make the best of the change.

4. Practice Gratitude

It's easy to overlook all of the amazing things you still have in life if you're resisting change. You might focus solely on what's different and why you don't like it. Looking for things to be grateful for can help ease the transition. Writing in a gratitude journal each day is a simple way to look for the blessings among the chaos. For instance, you might focus on your gratitude for your support network or the resources you have at your disposal.

5. Allow Yourself to Have Emotions

Accepting change doesn't mean you have to put a smile on your face and act like everything is fine. Giving yourself time to process how life is different is a necessary part of the process. It's okay to feel sad, angry, scared or anxious about changes. You might experience grief over the loss of how life was. Those emotions can last a while when you're dealing with something new. Surrendering to those emotions often helps you move through them faster. If you can't seem to get through those feelings, talking to a therapist could help.

6. Turn to Scripture and Prayer

Keeping God as a focus in your life can give you strength through challenging times. Read your Bible regularly to find peace in God's words. You might search for verses that relate directly to your situation or speak to strength and acceptance in general. Having a strong prayer life can help you thrive during life's transitions. It gives you a chance to speak directly to God and ask for support or wisdom as things are changing.

7. Find Activities That Calm You

Change can be stressful, even if it's a positive change. Maybe you've decided to move to The Gardens at Springfield to get the support you need while having access to all the amazing services and amenities. The move is exciting, but it's also a major life change that can come with mixed emotions.

Regardless of the type of change you're facing, finding activities that keep you calm and reduce your anxiety can help you cope. This might include exercising, practicing yoga, meditating, doing breathing exercises or using visualization techniques. Engaging in your hobbies or favorite activities can also help keep you calm and make the situation feel better.

8. Get Help From Others

Surrounding yourself with people who care and want to help can make life transitions easier. If the change involves moving, ask your loved ones to help make the moving arrangements or help with the packing. If you get injured, you might ask a neighbor or family member to help out around the house. You can also hire help in most situations. Sometimes, what you need most during times of change is companionship and emotional support. Open up to those closest to you about how you're feeling.

If you need ongoing help, you might consider another change: moving to The Gardens at Springfield. In addition to independent living, the community includes assisted living and memory care to meet your specific needs. You receive assistance with your routine activities from round-the-clock caregivers.

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