The Four Most Stressful Life Changes and How to Deal with Th

1. TheFour MostStressfulLifeChanges, and Howto Dealwith Them Beingawoman in inherentlystressful. Because of how we are hardwired, we are more likelyto put stressonourselves andtotakeonactivities and tasks that causeusstress. Nomatter how well equipped youare tohandleahecticand stressful lifestyle, there are some lifechanges that will cause you stress andcaneven seriouslydamage your abilityto continue livingyour life in a positive and constructive manner. Some women ignore the stress causedbythese life changes,believingthat it will eventually dissipateon itsown. Others tryto deal with it in unhealthy ways, like takingcomfort injunkfood or shuttingdown theirlives and hidinguntil it “passes.” Most of us know, however, that things do not goawayjustbecause we willthemto.That’s nothowlifeworks. That doesn’tmake itany moretempting to justtryto hidefromthereallydifficult things.Therearehealthyways todealwith life’smorestressful changes. Hereare thefour mostdisruptinglife changesand howto handle themsothat theydo not take over your life: 1. Deathin the familyorfriend circle.Nomatter your personal beliefs about the afterlife, losingsomeone that you love canbeextremelydifficult.Even ifyoubelieve that you will get tosee them again in another life, losingtheirpresence here inthis time is heartbreaking. Youmiss the spirit theybrought into your life. Because of thefinalityof death andthehuge change that itbrings about, it can causeseriousstress. Notonlyare you in mourning, youwillalso have todeal with the veryreal change that is happening. The best wayto deal with the stress oflosingaloved one in death is to allowyourselfto graduallyprogress through the stages of grieving. Realizing, understanding, andaccepting thatdeathisa painfulpartof the cycle oflifeas we knowit at themoment is thebestwayto graduallymove forward. Relyonfamilyandfriends to help you through this difficult timeor find otheroutletsforstressmanagement.

2. Adivorce.Even ifyouintellectuallyunderstand thatdivorce is the best optionin your situation, adivorce canbeextremelystressful, and not justbecauseit signifies the breakup of what was once afulfillingand valuable relationship.There will be meetings with lawyers andmediationsandmaybe even courtappearances,dependingonhow heatedthedivorce becomes.The clerical parts ofdivorce,meshed with the veryreal emotions canmake this anextremelystressful periodofyour life. Give yourselfsometime and somespace to understandtheenormityofwhat is happeningand tocompartmentalize it. Tryto let go ofthethings that arebeyond your control and getin control ofthe things thatyoucan control. Illness—yourself or familymembers.Discoveringthat you havea major illness can be extremelystressful, whether it is somethingthat is easilytreatableand manageableor somethingthat cannotbe cured.Somefind themselves slippingintoa depression, caused bythismajor change. Donot let illness be compoundedbystress and depression. The best wayto deal with the stress ofan illness istobuild atreatment plan. Discussingwith your doctor thebest wayto mitigatetheeffects ofthedisease will give you peace of mind. Knowingand havingsomethingtowork onis always better than notknowing. Consider reading some self-help booksthatare rich with stress managementtechniques. Losing a job or changing careers. Not justbecause it canputa strain on yourfinances, losingajobor changingcareers later in life can addundue stress to your life, whether that stress is aboutmoney, stability, or howtofunction inanewcareer. As women, we mayeven take the stress ofapartner’s job loss or career changeontoourselves, trying tohelp thembear theburden but in realityjust incapacitatingourselves. The best wayto deal with the stress ofjob loss or a career change isto set up aspecificplan, whether it is to searchfor andfind anewjobor to improve and become competentin yournew career, orfindnew ways to make money. Makingand sticking toa planforpersonal growth willcalm your mindabout thefearsofthis major life change. Doyou have stressmanagementtipsfor anyofthesefourmajor lifechanges orother stressful situations?Wewould love to hearfromyou.Sharethemherefor achance towin prizes!