External change is beyond our control, so it is no surprise that we find it stressful. Our ancient ancestors had to deal with quickly changing and often life-threatening situations, like the appearance of a large, hungry predator. However, once they had evaded capture, their sympathetic nervous system could calm down and the stress hormones dissipate. Now we find ourselves living with constant change and the uncertainty it produces. We need to find ways that, if we cannot control the change, we can still feel ‘in control’ of ourselves and our futures.
This chapter explains how change happens and how we respond to it, before looking at techniques ...
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