Change is Hard but Fighting it is Harder II
Author:
November 20, 2020
Health Consequences
Fighting
change can actually be bad for your health. When we run from change, it often
means we are viewing change through the lens of fear. When you are fearful you
activate the “flight or fight” response centers of the brain which release the
stress hormone cortisol. Over time, prolonged existence in that state of fear,
and the stress of avoiding change can have a negative impact on our well-being.
Research
shows that physically we can experience an increased risk for heart attack,
headaches/migraines, enhanced fatigue, sleep disorders, and muscle tension and
pain. Mentally and emotionally, we can experience anxiety, depression, anger,
and sorrow. We can also adopt negative behaviors and patterns such as
overeating or undereating, lack of physical fitness, use of addictive
substances, and social isolation (How stress affects your body and behavior, 2019).
We
likely do more harm than help to ourselves when we choose to run from change.
In the end, if we don’t change, we essentially die. So rather than try to stop
change, it’s best that we accept it for what it is and learn the necessary
skills and tools that will help us learn and grow in the midst of change. In
doing so we can make the most of our time, experience progress, and keep
ourselves well physically mentally, and emotionally.
References:
How
stress affects your body and behavior. (2019, April 4). Retrieved from
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress-symptoms/art-20050987
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