In this past month, I have moved my home for the first time in 22 years. Yes, the place that we moved in as a "temporary" home prior to getting married, has finally graduated to the status history. We collect many things in 22 years, the best of which are the memories. My youngest son was born and raised in that house. Not only have I left the house, I've also departed from Sonoma County in Northern California, which is where I chose to live most of the past 35 years.

I notice that I feel the affects of this major change in several ways. We've left our close friends and some family for our new adventure on Whidbey Island in Washington State. But the thing that I notice that has also had great impact on me is the change of lifestyle habits, the "simple things." My wife, Barbara, retired after almost 30 years in her nursing job and it was time to move to a spot that we chose several years ago. Since I do not believe that the stress of retirement, for me, is appropriate, I found that I was more stressed than expected by closing my business in Sonoma County, packing the house, moving 950 miles, and starting the process of establishing our new home on Whidbey Island. For those of you who have never visited Whidbey Island, WA, it is one of those special places that has great beauty and pace of life that is more peaceful than many places I have visited. As charming as it is, I am experiencing the stress of adjusting to many new activities and environment.

In my coaching work since 1977, I have told thousands of people that life transitions are stressful. In many situations, it may require 18 months (more or less) to fully re-stabilize after a significant change. No matter what our life is like, we get comfortable with certain habitual patterns. We adapt to our environments. Humans are amazing and resilient as we move through our lives. "Any change, even the most positive ones, required time and energy for adaptation." You can relate to the sudden and traumatic loss of a friend or loved one as a major stress. I know people who suffered such a severe loss that 5, even 10, years after this loss they seem to be physically and emotionally still caught in the stress of this change.

On the side of the stress from positive change, I know people who won millions of dollars in the state lottery and 2 years later, these people were still reeling from the change and adjustments that they were going through. (Yes, good fortune can be stressful, even life threatening... So if you ever win the state lottery, before you call the state, call me and I will help you prepare for your success and the "uncertain" future.)

Now, I am taking good care of myself. I have taken walks on the beach of Penn Cove at low tide to visit with drift wood, shells, and surf polished stones. I have hiked trails in the company of Bald Eagles. I have dug in the Earth to help my wife prepare and plant her new garden. I have watched the sunrise over the Cascades and sunset over the Olympic Peninsula. All of these are calming and stress relieving, but I have also had to visit the local Walmart and Home Depot many times to "re-supply." In the past, I have not had much interaction with Walmart and only limited Home Depot time. Unless I want to drive 45 minutes to visit the alternatives, I take to the road most traveled... This can be stressful. My normal habit of riding my bicycle or running on the treadmill for early morning exercise, has not become re-established in my new environment.

My eating patterns have had to adapt as we are still digging out of boxes looking for our pasta pan. We're working on filling the pantry with emergency supplies of tuna fish, tomato sauce, and cans of cranberry sauce.

When you find yourself in such situations remember that you have to go out of your way to take especially good care of yourself. Get back into your pattern of healthy activities as quickly as possible. Find healthy routines that can give you some stability. Stay in touch with your healthy friends and family. Get regular exercise. Meditate/relax regularly. And, eat simply, naturally, and as healthy as possible. Many people require positive outside support. Do not resist this need if you require some support or counsel from therapists, clergy, or healthy mentors/coaches. Try to have a good attitude about your developing adventure and if all else fails, use your sense of humor to deal with the bizarre things that you must endure. Most importantly, give yourself some time for a graceful transition. Control your expectations that "things" will return to normal quickly and that your performance will be at record levels immediately.

If you do not have a regular stress management technique or an effective style of meditation the you might want to find one that works well for you. A stress management program works best preventively and takes time to master. Be patient! Your skills will develop and you will be able to learn to control the stress related components of any of your physical or emotional stress related complaints. You will be able to minimize if not eliminate these symptoms through awareness and confidence in your developing relaxation skills.

Good luck... celebrate all of your positive relationships with gratitude!

Please take good care of yourself!