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8 Ways to Overcome Resistance to Change as We Grow
"Be Water, My Friend": Adapt, Flow, and Thrive!
Kim Pivot
May 21, 2024
In partnership with
Thought
Grandma had a quirky habit of changing toilet paper rolls prematurely and wrapping the leftover paper around the new roll. Mom used to shake her head at this, but when she reached her 70s, I caught her doing the exact same thing, my head was shaking. Not good.
Fast forward to today, with Mom in the early-to-mid stages of Alzheimer's. Reflecting back, her reluctance to embrace new experiences appears as an early sign. She actively resisted utilization of iPhone and WhatsApp, trying new restaurants, or sampling different foods. She shied away from anything unfamiliar, causing her world to gradually shrink until her current struggle with using the TV and air conditioning remotes. Considering our toilet roll inheritance, Iâve been padentically aware of my own openness to new information.
The measure of intelligence is the ability to change.
We all face moments when we're overwhelmed by the daily grind, the constant influx of information, office politics, and new, baffling ideas from younger colleagues. Sometimes we push through, other times we hush-up. Watching Mom withdraw from the world has made me think deeply about our own reactions to change and the fear that perhaps we are all headed in a similar direction.
Scoop
Our brains are wired for laziness.
Our brainâs capacity is limited.
Our brains donât like change.
It is natural for our brains to always seek the most direct and efficient way to process and handle situations we throw at it. On a basic level, it doesnât care much for what we perceive as good and bad. Water always flows in direction of the least resistance, much like most work simply gets dumped on the desk of the colleague with the softest demeanour.
Nourish your brain tree
How to Strengthen Your Brain and Avoid Falling into Comfort Defaults
Engage in Lifelong Learning: Continuously learn new skills or subjects through education, online courses, or hobbies.
Stay Physically Active: Exercise regularly to boost brain blood flow and support neural growth.
Socialize Regularly: Interact with others to keep your brain sharp. Join clubs, attend gatherings, and stay connected with loved ones.
Challenge Your Mind: Engage in mentally stimulating activities like puzzles, reading, playing instruments, or learning a language.
Maintain a Healthy Diet: Eat foods rich in antioxidants, good fats, vitamins, and minerals, such as fruits, vegetables, and omega-3 fatty acids.
Practice Mindfulness and Stress Management: Use meditation, deep breathing, and yoga to reduce stress and improve mental clarity.
Get Enough Sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night to support memory and cognitive function.
Mix Up Your Routine: Change your daily routine regularly to keep your brain engagedâtry new routes, recipes, and places.
Resources
Brain training game Iâm doodling with
Check out Lumosity Brain Training.
I find it interesting (Iâve no affiliation with them). A good number of games are free and it feels good to be playing in the name of scientifically-backed training. It reminds me of the creepy-man brain training game on my game boy ages ago.
Lumosity is a well-regarded brain training platform that offers a range of cognitive games designed to improve various mental skills. It provides personalized brain workouts that target areas such as memory, attention, speed, flexibility, and problem-solving. These games are based on neuropsychological tasks and are adapted to become more challenging as you improve, ensuring that the training remains effective and engaging over time.
Na, not him this time
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Article Iâm digesting
I used to think Mom simply disliked everything I liked. But after I yielded on a long-contested issue, and she quick-switched to the opposite stance, it became clear that her resistance was more about asserting control in a world where she felt it slipping away.
In Redirecting Resistance, Joseph M. Casciani, PhD, unravels the complex reasons behind resistance in older adults. Casciani explains that fear of change, mistrust, limited coping skills, and a profound need for controlâamid diminishing autonomyâshape their reactions.
The article is framed for a healthcare providers but is still a good read for those looking to bridge the gap of understanding and improve their interactions with older generations; bringing me one step closer to convincing Mom to take her meds.
Last Word
It's easy to become set in our ways, especially as the years pass and the demands of life weigh on us. But staying open to new experiences is crucial for keeping our minds sharp and our lives vibrant. Challenge yourself to try something different todayâjust one thing. Embrace the discomfort of the unfamiliar, and you might find it brings a fresh perspective and renewed energy to your life. Your future career, and carer, might just thank you for it.
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