Change is inescapable, something that affects us all with each passing day — it’s part of why we live, hoping things will one day be better — yet the thought of anything beyond the routine can bring about great discomfort. Whether you’re graduating college or starting a new diet, preparing to be a first-time parent or facing the end of a long-term relationship, change can be scary.
If you’re up long hours wondering how you can brave the day ahead, take a deep breath and remember: You’re not alone in this. Someone’s been down this way before, and will be again. Fortunately, change is something we all experience, so we can all learn from one another how to best deal with those butterfly-in-the-stomach moments. Here are a few tips to help you stay sane amid the chaos of change.
1. Eat Well
It’s no secret that a healthy diet plays an important role in your general physical well-being, and we’ve all experienced first-hand the mental benefits of feeling physically fit.
But that’s not all. The Cleveland Clinic Hospital says there are a host of specific benefits to eating well, too. Those benefits include an increase in energy level and alertness, improved health, and a better body image.
Furthermore, a study published in PLOS One found that providing young adults with high-quality fruits and vegetables improved their psychological well-being — with visible benefits seen after just a two-week period. The subjects demonstrated an increase of vitality and motivation.
The Royal College of Psychiatrists even recommends specific diets for different disorders, like mood disorders or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder — recommending a diet that is high in omega-3 amino acids (found in fish and plants like flaxseed or walnuts) and low in gluten.
2. Sleep!
Another no-brainer — according to the National Sleep Foundation, adults need 7 to 9 hours of sleep a night, and sleep is integral to mental well-being.
A study published in Social Indicators Research found that “optimal sleepers reported fewer symptoms of depression, and anxiety, and reported higher levels of environmental mastery, personal growth, positive relations with others, purpose in life, and self-acceptance.”
And, according to the National Institutes of Health, children and teens who don’t get enough sleep may have difficulty socializing — they may feel angry and impulsive, have mood swings, feel sad and depressed, or lack motivation.
