Change: Fight or fly?

Most people do not like changes. Changes cause uncertainty, fear and disturbance.

Certainly not all changes in a person's life are positive. Loss of beloved persons, undesirable changes in professional life and many other unpleasant events happen everyday. However, according to psychologists even changes that are considered to be positive developments in life (marriage, becoming a parent, moving in a new house, promotion) are experienced by many people as sources of big stress.

Isn't it contradictory that the main prerequisite of evolution, change, is causing so often negative feelings?

We are the most intelligent creatures on planet Earth. This makes us forget that we are nothing but mammals and as such we still bear deeply rooted primitive instincts. One of them is the instinct of survival. Depending on the circumstances that particular instinct is causing two reactions: either fight or fly.

Every single change is a possible threat to our "survival", our everyday routine. We often complain about routine but it also provides us with a feeling of security. In our modern, organized way of living when a change occurs the physical flight is rarely feasible, especially when the change is our aspiration ("positive development"). On the contrary the emotional flight is feasible and that is the reason why so many people develop symptoms of depression, mainly after unpleasant changes. The alternative choice, fight, is apart from wearying unpredictable. Every time fight is chosen (consciously or subconsciously) as our reaction a new mach begins with unknown outcome. The unknown cause fear, anxiety and stress.

Is it possible to control our fear against changes? I believe it is, mainly by focusing on the present. When a change is occurring our thinking should not jump to its implications on the far future. It is preferable to remain calm, examine every aspect of the new situation, conciliate with the feelings caused by it and keep a positive attitude. Try not to forget that every change is an incentive for personal development. The skills needed in life are many and unfortunately not always acquired in a pleasant manner. However, every period, occasion, experience, adverse circumstance and success may act as lessons, paths to greater self-knowledge and self-confidence.

There are many good books available giving valuable advise on how to deal with change and the emotional stress it induces. Aromatherapy and essential oils can also become valuable allies in situations of intense physical and mental load due to changes. Rose, patchouli, sandalwood, oregano, myrrh, frankincense, helichrysum, bergamot are essential oils very successful in treating depression and fear, acquiring emotional balance and boosting self-confidence and positive thinking.

So next time a change comes across your way acquire the right armor and enter the fight. I am certain you will be victorious!

My suggestions...

Massage blend for optimism
20 ml carrier oil 
5 drops rose essential oil
4 drops sandalwood essential oil
3 drops patchouli essential oil

Massage blend for combating fear
20 ml carrier oil
5 drops geranium essential oil
5 drops bergamot essential oil
2 drops frankincense essential oil

You can also use the above blends with an oil burner or in a perfume pendant to keep positive feelings at heart.