Bereavement, separation, job loss, illness, moving, even happy ones, certain life events constitute sources of intense stress. This stress is a normal reaction to upheaval. Without suppressing it, we can learn to better get through these periods and rely on appropriate resources.
1. Normal stress in the face of change
Major life events, whether painful or positive, require significant adaptation from the body and mind. Feeling stress is a natural response. It is normal to feel rushed, tired or unsettled during these transition periods.
2. Events with variable effects
| Event type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Losses | Mourning, separation, loss manual |
| Changes | Moving, new job |
| Health | Illness, hospitalization |
| Happy but demanding | Marriage, birth |
Even happy events can be stressful because they involve change. The accumulation of several events over a short period is particularly heavy.
3. Get through these times
Some guidelines help: giving yourself time to adapt, preserving your basic needs (sleep, food, activity), not isolating yourself, and accepting not to be at your maximum capacity. It's okay to move forward in stages.
- Give yourself time to adapt
- Preserve sleep, diet and activity
- Do not isolate yourself, accept support
- Advance in stages without judging yourself
4. Know how to lean on and ask for help
Leaning on loved ones is precious. When the suffering is too heavy, it lasts or prevents you from functioning, you should not hesitate to seek professional help. Certain situations (difficult mourning, intense ordeal) justify specific support.
Going through a major event takes time: kindness towards oneself is essential. If you have difficulty overcoming an ordeal, a health professional can support you.
💡 tips to remember
- Stress in the face of a major life event is a normal reaction to an upheaval that requires significant adaptation.
- Even happy events (marriage, birth) can be stressful because they involve changes.
- The accumulation of several events over a short period of time is particularly heavy.
- I give myself time, I preserve my basic needs, I do not isolate myself and I move forward in stages without judging myself.
- When the suffering lasts or prevents me from functioning, I seek help from a professional: certain events justify support.
