The Impact of Change
Change – whether at work, at home, or on a national scale – can feel overwhelming. It disrupts routines, challenges our sense of stability, and often stirs up emotions we may not expect. Recognizing that our reactions to change are both inevitable and deeply human, and finding ways to support ourselves and each other, are the first steps toward building resilience.
Below, Balanced You and the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) share tips for navigating change, and resources to support you in the process.
Naming and Allowing Emotions
Too often, we feel pressure to “push through” without acknowledging the emotional impact of change. Yet naming what we feel – whether it’s uncertainty, fear, sadness, anger, or even hope – creates space for processing. Allowing emotions without judgment helps normalize the experience and reduce the stigma.
- Mindfulness: Mindfulness helps us identify and experience emotions while maintaining a sense of steadiness amongst chaos. Balanced You’s live mindfulness classes and on-demand mindfulness videos can support you in developing your mindfulness practice.
Preventing Isolation by Accessing Your Network
One of the most common tendencies during times of change is to withdraw. We convince ourselves that our feelings are unique, and that no one else could possibly understand.
In reality, many of the people around us are navigating similar circumstances and emotions.
Connecting with loved ones and friends at home, as well as trusted peers or mentors within the workplace, can prevent isolation and build collective strength. And connection doesn’t have to be complicated to be effective; it can be a cup of coffee with a colleague or a phone call to an old friend.
- Affinity Groups: King County’s Affinity Groups provide employees with the opportunity to connect with other employees with shared backgrounds or interests.
- Digital Support Groups: Making Life Easier’s online support groups are facilitated by mental health professionals and provide opportunities to anonymously connect with others over shared experiences or identities.
Prioritizing and Restructuring Routine
Change often requires us to re-examine how we care for ourselves. What worked before may not meet our needs now. When this happens, we can benefit from intentionally restructuring our well-being routines. This may mean setting clearer boundaries, carving out time for rest and recovery, or establishing new movement or nutrition plans to align with changing schedules.
- Activity Centers: King County provides over 25 Activity Centers for employees to move their bodies while working onsite.
- Workout Classes and Videos: Live, virtual exercise classes ranging from 30 to 60 minutes are available to employees via the Get Movin’ exercise series. Can’t make a set class time? Recorded exercise classes and stretching videos are available on-demand via our partner, Vivecorp.
- Gym Discounts: Need to find a gym that works for your new schedule? King County employees can access gym discounts via health insurance-based programs or individual gym discount offers.
Seeking Professional Guidance and Support
Resources such as Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and Making Life Easier (MLE) exist to help support employee mental health, including during times of transition. These programs provide confidential counseling, stress management tools, and practical tools for balancing work and life demands.
Seeking professional support ensures you don’t have to carry the weight of change alone.
- Mental Health Counseling: King County employees can access in-person or virtual counseling via EAP, MLE, or insurance-based counseling. Review this post to determine the best path toward counseling for you.
- Work-life balance resources: MLE provides free resources to you and anyone in your household, including work-life balance support. If you are feeling overwhelmed by your to-do list and could use assistance in identifying resources or finding solutions for childcare, elder care, home repairs, and more, contact MLE.
- Additional resources: From substance use disorder support to psychiatric medicine prescribing to text-based coaching, King County has you covered. Review this post for a comprehensive look at mental health resources available to support King County employees during times of change and beyond.