Playlist and Tips for Times of Transition
Do you feel like things are changing over and over again? Whether it’s the changing seasons, changes in jobs or families, or changes in the pandemic, it can be hard to keep up. And with all these changes, it can be challenging to manage our emotions, anxiety, and stress.
There are several things you can do to cope with transition and be at peace wherever you are. Some coping mechanisms may work better at different times depending on how you’re feeling and the circumstances you’re experiencing. Experiment with what works best for you.
1. Turn on your favorite music. Listening to music is an excellent coping skill that can reduce stress and anxiety while producing the neurochemicals dopamine and serotonin in the brain, which physically make us feel better.
Turn on some music in the car, while you’re working, or even if you need a moment of peace. Think about what kind of music reflects your mood or maybe the mood you’d like to be in.
Need some tunes? Check out this playlist for transitions from Missouri Show Me Hope on Spotify or on YouTube.
2. Prioritize sleep. You’ve heard it once and you’ll probably hear it again. Sleep is one of the best ways to help your body deal with large amounts of stress and anxiety. It is the body’s way of physically repairing itself.
One tip: Try to get to bed 15 minutes earlier than you normally do and work your way up to prioritizing an earlier bedtime.
3. Listen to your body. Our bodies are smart. When you’re feeling overwhelmed, tired, or anxious, take a moment to do a check in. How does your body feel, and what do you think it needs? Are you tired, hungry, sluggish, unmotivated? After your check in, make a decision on what coping mechanism to choose.
4. Get outside. Fresh air can do wonders for our mental health. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, try to get outside for a short walk or even take your work outside. Just 5-10 minutes can do wonders.
5. Schedule your time wisely. Look at your daily or weekly schedule. Does it need some adjusting due to recent transitions? Build in time for your self care routines, time with family and friends, commute/travel time between activities, and even break time. This will allow you some mental clarity and the ability to tackle your day better.
Try these tips to see if they help you during this time of transition. Remember this time of transition will not last forever. As we move and change as a community, we will adjust and get back to normal.