Certainly, birthing little Kayla was a major life change...but how do the little changes impact depression and our well-being?

Sometimes I underestimate just how much change can feed into this emotional journey…sometimes prompting feelings of sadness, the blues and in some cases (usually with a few other prompters) depression.

And this goes for good and bad change. I think we really underestimate the impact of good change because it’s “good”…a wedding, a baby, a new job, a new house, a move, a new chance. I’ll never forget the sweet HR director at my first full-time job. She reminded me that I had just finished a graduate program, moved to a new city and started a new job in a month’s time. “That’s a lot of change,” she reminded me. She then encouraged me to give myself some time and mental breaks to adjust to all of this positive change. She was basically saying that it would be okay to feel out of sorts for a while.

So recently, about 18 years since that conversation with the HR manager, I experienced “good” change. My 2-year-old started going to daycare 3 days a week; great! But this also meant, I had to change my daily routine; I had to get her ready, prepare snacks for the long commute, and prepare myself to deal with Kayla more hours of the day (no doubt in traffic). I was tense and I was hoping Kayla wouldn’t feel abandoned. I also had to deal with Kayla’s original sitter’s sadness over the news that she’d only see Kayla once a week. I had to leave work 30 minutes early so that also put more pressure on me to get to work on time and to not take too long on lunch time errands and to focus a bit more instead of hanging out at the proverbial water cooler (and I love to chat!)…that’s a lot of change and new pressure!

Oh, did I mention that with my new schedule, my 35 minute bike ride before work is probably not possible…I’m going to have to figure out how to get my longer exercise days in when I don’t take Kayla or change to the 8 minute Billy Blanks tape (not a bad option…I just have to incorporate it into my mindset)…and missing workouts can make my stress grow and cause  me to miss that endorphone high. Then, add a doctor’s appointment to this…and my week was totally off and I felt it!

Change happens…often! And we have to remember to allow our bodies, minds/emotions to adjust. And the first step is recognizing that change has occurred…even good change!

How do you recognize when “change” is throwing you off?