How to cope with change
Get useful tools and strategies to help you cope with change and care for your mental health.
Read moreA new year, a new start… how many times have we said that over the years? At the start of each year, many of us make new year resolutions, and many of us fail to keep them. So why is change so hard?
At the start of each year, many of us make new year resolutions, and many of us fail to keep them. So why is change so hard?
A new year, a new start… how many times have we said that over the years?
We are creatures of habit and can be very comfortable living in a world of routine behaviour. Take this example; you set a goal to eat healthily, so you want to cut back on takeaway meals. You’re determined to make it happen, but the next day you get home late from work, and you’re hungry and tired, so you go back to your habit of ordering takeaway. It’s easy to do and comfortable.
The goal we set is too vague, which makes it difficult to measure our progress and keep motivated. For example, instead of saying ‘I want to lose weight’, you should make it specific, ‘I will lose 8kg by the end of April.’
You want to change too many things all in one go. For change to happen, we rely on our resources of attention, self-control and motivation. If we try to change too much, we place unrealistic demands on these resources. We also often forget that while trying to change, other areas of our life still need attention and they also require the same resources.
We may be so scared of failing to make a change and ‘losing face’ that we may not even try to give it a go.
Failure and relapse is part of the change process. Change occurs over time, and we often move back and forth. Try to see your initial failure as a step in the process, not an excuse to give up trying. Change is hard but remember that any effort you make is worthwhile, no matter how small or large. Reward yourself along the way and keep going!
If you need someone to talk to, MensLine Australia professional counsellors are here to provide information and support 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Call us on 1300 78 99 78 or access online counselling.
Get useful tools and strategies to help you cope with change and care for your mental health.
Read moreIt can be hard for some men to express their feelings. They may be embarrassed or worried they’ll be seen as weak. Here MensLine Australia explores ways you can help a mate who may be experiencing feelings of suicide.
Read moreFeeling as though your life is out of control, and that it will never get better is a common feeling. Here MensLine Australia discusses ways in which you can help yourself through this difficult time.
Read moreThere are many reasons why people think about ending their lives. Here MensLine Australia looks at some of the common experiences that can lead to people feeling this way, and the support options that are available.
Read more