The Challenge of Change District Judge's Fall Conference Boone, NC October 10, 2003 Dr. Wayne Matthews Human Development Specialist North Carolina Cooperative Extension NC State University

It’s a Big World of Change

Increasing Rate of Change (Dr. Carl Sagan) Jan. 1Dawn of Stone Age Nov. 19Man Discovers Fire Dec. 10Man Communicates Symbolically Dec. 29Begins Productive Agriculture Dec. 30Man Communicates in Writing

Increasing Rate of Change Dec. 31: 11:30 a.m.Greek Civilization 1:30 p.m.Roman Empire 9:30 p.m.Printing Press 11:05 p.m.Industrial Revolution 11:45 p.m.Automobile and Airplane 11:52 p.m.Automated Systems 11:55 p.m.The Computer

Increasing Rate of Change Dec. 31: 11:58 p.m.Heart Transplants 11:59 p.m.Man Lands on the Moon Seconds: Information Explosion Economic Confusion Social Apathy The “Instant” Society

Family Community Emotions DeathHealth Job - Career Technology Terrorism & War Road Rage Time Pressures Economy Diversity The Unexpecteds Uncertainty Isolationism Environment

YOU Other Stuff Family FriendsWork

Normative Life Changes Leaving Home Marriage Birth of Child Changing Jobs Re-location Short-term illness Financial changes Time Pressures Relationship Issues Family Expectations Work Expectations Hassles of daily living

Non-Normative Life Changes Death (Unexpected) Divorce Losing Job Bankruptcy War Long-term Illness Elder-care Birth Defects Natural Disasters Imprisonment Victim of Violence Incapacitation Severe Injury Extraordinary Events

Stress... Human reaction to change When the demands of life exceed the resources to meet those demands The emotion of fear at work Reaction to Change...

Approaches to Modifying Stress Modify the Stressor Change Your Reaction to the Stressor What are your resources? Practice Stress Inoculation Behaviors Change Your Perception or Belief About the Stressor

Physical Activity or Exercise Good Nutrition and Healthy Body Weight Adequate sleep Healthy Lifestyle Finding the Balance

Stretching Yoga Massage Progressive Relaxation Physical Relaxation Finding the Balance

Meditation Breathing Exercises Visualization Mental Relaxation Finding the Balance

Mental Hardiness View change as a challenge Committed at work and home Governed by their own values Optimistic outlook Individuals who are mentally hardy:

Use Humor Don’t worry... Using Your Mind and Body Finding the Balance

1.Accept the Unchangeable 2.Change the Changeable 3.Remove Yourself from the Unacceptable Three Techniques to Stop Worry: Finding the Balance

Other Techniques That Work Count your blessings every day Positive self-talk Finding the Balance

Other Techniques That Work Deal with anger positively Adjust expectations Finding the Balance

Other Techniques That Work Take life one day at a time Get in touch with your spiritual nature Practice Forgiveness Finding the Balance