Reduce stress by taking control
Change: Taking a positive outlook

by Cynthia Read Laurrell, Executive Director Employee Assistance of Central Virginia, Inc.

It has been said that the one constant in life is change. The world is ever changing, and it is not a question of "if" our lives will change, but "when." We may choose to make a change or it may be forced upon us. Regardless of whether a change is positive or negative—the birth of a child or the death of a loved one—a big change in our lives is rarely easy and usually results in some amount of stress. In general, the more unpredictable and uncontrollable the change, the greater the stress.

When thinking about change, it is helpful to remember Maslow's hierarchy of needs, which looks at needs in life as a type of pyramid. At the bottom are basic physiological and survival needs, followed by safety and security, love and belonging, self-esteem/recognition, and finally self-actualization. Maslow believed that our behavior is directed toward fulfilling our lowest-level unmet need. If we are fortunate to be living "the good life" with our lower-level needs well-satisfied, we will pursue self actualization—our highest human potential. On the other hand, imagine a job loss or a divorce. Such changes have a profound impact, in reality or through our fears, on our sense of safety, security and belonging. In short, change often affects our fundamental needs as human beings.

Reaction to change

Normal reactions to change may include:

Feelings of loss and control

Loss of comfort and security

Lower self-esteem

Increase in anxiety and fear

Loss of self-confidence

When experiencing change, it is best to take charge and to influence those things over which we have some control. We can practice good stress management, take care of ourselves and pay attention to our level of optimism.

We navigate change more gracefully when we understand that the same life event may be viewed positively or negatively, depending on our beliefs about the event. Each of us operates by a characteristic set of beliefs that we apply to ourselves, others and the world. The habitual ways we interpret life events—our explanatory style—influence whether we tend to be optimistic or pessimistic and are fundamental to how we deal with change.

Change in the workplace

Employees react in a variety of ways when change hits the workplace. Common reactions include a rise in absenteeism, added conflict, isolation, decreased productivity, increased negativity, a change in energy and a drop in commitment. Employing affirming strategies helps in the workplace just as it does in the rest of life.

Managers and supervisors are in a powerful position to lead employees and organizations toward resiliency in the midst of change. Useful methods include:

Managing their reactions to change first, then focusing on employees.

Providing employees with as much appropriate information as possible, saying, "We don't know everything, but here is what we can share."

Offering support and reassurance by acknowledging that reactions to change are normal.

Providing a vision of how to move forward productively, including clear expectations for performance.

Research shows that optimistic people are more resilient in the face of adversity, tend to have higher levels of life satisfaction and live longer. Additional information about positive psychology and tips to manage change can be found in Authentic Happiness by Martin Seligman, Ph.D., professor of psychology and director of the Positive Psychology Center at the University of Pennsylvania, or by visiting www.authentichappiness.org.