Monthly Mental Health Moment: June 2022

Change is coming!

That might seem like a bold statement. Yet we all know that life is change. In the medical field, there are many transitions from June to July. Individuals move to a new year of study. New interns start in the hospital and our current interns move on to become senior residents. Even if the change in your life is not that dramatic, there is, undoubtedly, still change.

What do we know about change?

Even good change can be stressful. Have you ever gotten a new position, one that you wanted, and as soon as you start, you worry that you made a mistake? Or started a new relationship and instead of just enjoying it, started to worry about what if it doesn’t work out? There, I have just outed myself with two past aspects of worry.

Even when we want the change, sometimes, a part of us can feel anxious instead of excited. Those two emotions—anxiety and excitement—feel very similar. They generate the same physical experience—increased heart rate, harder to catch one’s breath, maybe a little tingling or nausea. It can often help to consider what lens we are looking through—positive or negative. Is there a way to flip your view if you find yourself feeling anxious or negative about a change? Is there a way to label your feelings as excitement? That can help you look forward to the change, instead of dreading it.

What part of your routine can you keep in place, to help you weather the change?

Write a positive thought about the change. What are you gaining?

Use your supports. Recognize that change is inevitable.

If you need more support, reach out. We are here to help.

Best,
Martha Peaslee Levine, MD
Director, Office for Professional Mental Health

The Crescent was lit green for Mental Health Awareness, May 14 to 19.

If you're having trouble accessing this content, or would like it in another format, please email the Penn State College of Medicine web department.