Bracing for Change
I love the fall but am I alone this year in feeling the Fall Flux?
The variant weather is throwing my equilibrium and making it hard for me to gradually ease into the season. I find myself anticipating the impending change with more intensity.
It’s brought up some thoughts about how we all brace for change.
TOOLS
So, biologically, we are change adverse. Change = risk = threat and therefore we innately avoid such things.
But change is inevitable. A phrase that actually gives me a lot of peace is, “nothing is permanent”. Rather than repel against the natural changes, I try to embrace them. Although, there’s also tendency to crave change as another way of avoiding what is.
The goal is to try and find the balance - the place where we can be accepting of change while also not needing change to occur. We can find safety and peace in the balance.
The tool of acceptance is what achieves the balance. We accept that change must occur while also accepting the unknowns and discomforts change brings, before the change can occur or if it will occur.
GRATITUDE
But what about when acceptance of what is, is hard? When we cannot find goodness or gratitude in what is about to occur or what we are expecting?
Right now, as we anticipate the change of weather, the upcoming holiday season, the rush of fall sports and impending winter… you may notice a visceral shift in your body as you’re starting to engage your survival responses to these perceived threats.
You may notice yourself pendulating between joy and excitement and then sadness and stress more often. You may then notice yourself becoming more agitated, sensitive, overstimulated, reactive, shut-down, lethargic, nostalgic, anxious and grieving.
And here’s the thing: it’s not the change itself that’s creating this, it is your emotional reaction to anticipated change that is the issue.
INNOVATION
We have to learn how to hang out in the pendulation - the back and forth of our emotions. We have to learn how to not only expect but plan for the balancing act.
It is our aversion to our roller coaster of emotions that creates the bigger roller coaster!
Do you know about Seasonal Affective Disorder? Researchers agree that there is a physiological and psychological response to seasonal changes - less sun, less nature, less movement.
But did you know that the root cause remains unknown?
Well, I have a theory. I believe that SAD occurs due to our our anticipation for the uncomfortable and impending changes that the holiday and winter seasons bring.
When we are in a chronic state of anticipation, flux and survival, our nervous system has a much harder time repairing itself. If underneath the surface we are in a chronic state of stress, we’re firing off all sorts of signals to our body that we are not okay and thus increasing mood swings, hormonal imbalances, inflammation, auto-immune responses, sleep disturbances and so on. The implications of chronic stress are widely known. And seasonal change can be a cause!
FEELS
As you prepare for the season change, I encourage you to plan for the discomfort, plan for the variations in your mood, and plan for your responses.
I know that with winter brings the stress of, “oh my gosh how am I going to entertain my children outside in the cold?”. I also know that my brain hurts trying to figure out Christmas lists, hosting itineraries, travel schedules. I know that my body shudders at the idea of dark afternoons, freezing mornings and icey sidewalks.
So, allow myself to feel the change and then manage my responses. I come up with nice plans to help myself ready in a more relaxed, welcoming and accepting way. I embrace hot yoga instead of nature walks. I buy warm boots for the kids. I practice boundaries and check in with my people-pleaser. I say “no” and also let my body guide me. Watch our video on Seasonal Affective Disorder to also learn some super simple, practical tips for warding it off!
I also allow myself to feel the pendulum of emotions…
The hygge of fall and the heaviness on my chest for winter.
The awe in the beauty of the leaves changing and the grief of colder days.
The excitement for busy schedules and the desire to retreat.
And if you’re like our intern Emily and you LOVE WINTER, then I do not understand you and please tell me all your secrets.
Hugs and wool socks and dreaming of the Bahamas…
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