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13 | The IFP -H alton H ills | T hursday,S eptem ber 5,2019 theifp.ca "The more things change, the more they stay the same." Sometimes that seems true, but particularly at work, it can feel more like "the more things change, the more stressed I am." Whether it's a reorgani- zation, a shift in how things are done at work, or a new colleague, facing change can bring discomfort, anxi- ety, and full-on fear. What if we're not as happy, success- ful, or capable? It's the un- known, and navigating it can be a bumpy path. A common default when it comes to handling a change we either don't want or we fear is resistance. We may be determined to stick to the familiar, complain, and be reluctant to try out the change. But, this ap- proach does little to help us cope and adjust and can keep negative feelings and stress swirling. So, what can we do in- stead? Following are some tips to think about when it comes to adapting to change at work: • Accept it. If the deci- sion is made and the change is happening, you're better off thinking about the pre- sent and future rather than the past. • Get involved. Can you do something to learn more and possibly help yourself and others cope? Maybe you could ask questions to clar- ify some doubts or offer to be part of a group that puts together a plan for the change. It may not make your anxiety magically dis- appear, but it can help you feel a bit more in control. • Keep an open mind. Sure you may feel under- standably unsure or un- easy, but, as they say, "fake it until you make it." Be flex- ible and give the change a try - you might be surprised at how things go. And if it doesn't go so well, at least you can talk about that from experience. • Be patient. Allow yourself an adjustment pe- riod and don't be discour- aged by some growing pains - it will take time to settle in- to a new way of doing things. • Communicate. Talk to others about your needs and thoughts, whether it's connecting with colleagues or seeking out professional supports if you're really feeling overwhelmed and out of control. It's OK to need help with adjusting. Venting can be helpful to get negative feelings out, but make sure you also fo- cus on moving forward and coping in positive ways. • Reflect. During and af- ter the change, take time to think about how things are going. You may have lost something due to the change, but have you also gained something? Taking time to reflect can help us identify what we need to cope or important conver- sations we need to have rather than having emo- tional reactions that may not be constructive. Just think - if, as they say, "the only constant is change," then we'll have lots of practice. Melanie McGregor is the communications and ad- vancement specialist at the Canadian Mental Health Association Halton Region Branch, which provides mental health/addiction community support and education. Visit www.hal- toncmha.ca for more in- formation and follow @cmhahalton on Twitter. OPINION MINIMIZING WORK STRESS DURING TIMES OF CHANGE THERE'S LOTS WE CAN DO TO HELP OURSELVES, WRITES MCGREGOR MELANIE MCGREGOR Column Congratulations to Ste- ven Abrams and Josh Timu- kas, both from Georgetown, for their recent showing at an international event in Thailand. Steven and Josh re- presented Canada in the beach volleyball event and are products of a very rich volleyball tradition in Georgetown. Countless boys and girls from George- town have excelled in this sport, despite zero assis- tance from our town. The Milton Beach Volleyball fa- cility, (six full courts) was built at the Milton Sport- splex. Our athletes are all fa- miliar with it, because that's where they need to travel to in order to practise. Volleyball parents have lobbied for years to get beach facilities built in our town and nothing has been done. 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