Embracing change

For many of us, routines and habits make up most of our days. Whether it’s at home, at work or at the gym, we find comfort in the ability to predict what’s coming next. So, when our routines are disrupted and new habits are introduced, it creates uncertainty and pushes us out of our comfort zones.

It’s important to remember that change can be big or small, positive or negative, expected or unexpected. Regardless of how it presents itself, it can feel like a threat. This can lead to feelings of stress and anxiety and can have negative impacts on your mental health and well-being. In fact, this type of stress can lead to:

• Headaches
• Trouble sleeping
• Digestive problems
• Muscle tension
• High blood pressure
• Depression
• Irritability
• Eating too much or too little
• Alcohol or drug abuse

If you’re finding it difficult to cope with changes in your life, you’re not alone. Consider following some of these tips to help you manage changes in your life.  

1.  Work on acceptance. Sometimes the best thing we can do when presented with change is accept it. While that’s always easier said than done, it’s important to try and keep perspective. Accepting change doesn’t always mean you like it or even agree with it, but mentally fighting inevitable change will only lead to unnecessary stress. 
2. Reframe your thoughts. It’s normal to feel stress and anxiety when presented with change. Instead of focusing on the negative or overwhelming aspects of these changes, try to embrace it for what it is and take steps to help make the transition easier. Change is always hard at first, but it’s important to remember that like most things, it gets easier with time. 
3. Maintain routines. When dealing with change, the last thing you want to do is create more of it. Maybe you exercise every morning at 6 a.m. or talk to your best friend on the phone every weekend. Keep doing that. Maintaining normalcy where you can gives your brain a chance to relax and can help you navigate the more challenging parts of life.  
4. Seek out support. Experiencing change is hard enough. But when you’re going through it alone, it can feel like an even greater burden. It’s important to ask for help when you need it. Lean on friends and family or others experiencing the change with you to help you. Sometimes just talking to someone can help ease the worry that often comes with change. If you’re not ready to talk with someone, check out some of the resources below for other tools and advice on how to embrace change.
5. Be kind to yourself. It’s OK to not be OK. Especially in times of uncertainty and discomfort when it can be easy to dwell on the struggles we’re facing. But change takes time. And sometimes adjusting to that change can take even longer. Give yourself grace in these moments and remember that you’re doing the best you can. 

Mental health matters, which is why Florida Blue members have access to a number of helpful tools and resources to help them on their journey to better health. For example:

• One valuable tool available at no extra cost to our fully insured Florida Blue and most Florida Blue Medicare members is our digital mental well-being program, meQuilibrium.¹ This self-guided personalized program improves resiliency skills and helps with mental well-being — something we can all use right now. Watch a Calm-cast video, try a resilience-building skill or complete an activity all designed to help you reduce your stress and improve your health, including videos on:

• How to Embrace Change (Elior Moskowitz)
• How to Handle Change with Confidence (Calm-Cast)
• Can You Really Change Your Mind? (Kara Baskin)

• Florida Blue members can call our behavioral health care partner, Lucet², at 1-866-287-9569. They can help you locate a licensed therapist that’s right for you. They may also be able to schedule your in-person or virtual visit with a therapist. 

¹meQuilibrium is an independent company contracted by Florida Blue to provide health and wellness services and resources to members. This benefit is available to Florida Blue members age 18 and older. Eligibility is limited to members with an individual or family plan, an individual or family ACA plan and members with coverage from their fully insured group employer health plan.

²Florida Blue contracts with Lucet to provide behavioral health services. 

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