As the ancient Greek philosopher, Heraclitus, once wisely said: "You can't step into the same river twice."

And why is that?

Because at each new step, you change, and so does the river. This profound insight tells us about the constant flow of life and the transitoriness of everything.

Many of us, however, struggle with change. We try to fight it, reject it and oppose it, but that only leads us to a pathway of stress, anxiety, and exhaustion.

That leads us to the following question: is resistance to change the best way to face the shifts of our ever-changing world?

According to neuroscientist Peter Sterling and biologist Joseph Eyer, there is a much better way to deal with our reality of impermanence. And it is called allostasis.

What is Allostasis?

In simple terms, allostasis is about finding stability through change. It's like realising that you can't always go back to where you started after change happens. Instead, you create a new normal.

Instead of trying to hold tightly to the same old routines, it's about adapting to this new normal.

Think of it as your mental gymnastics coach, helping you stay balanced on the trapeze of life's ups and downs.

Allostasis means "stability through change," recognising that stability can exist in a new baseline after change and it opposes the concept of "homeostasis," where things return to the same point after change.

The concept of allostasis is the key to understanding change, from neuroscience to psychology.

How can allostasis help us deal with change?

According to the specialists, our brains thrive on rewiring and creating new connections, which turns change into a part of a thriving consciousness.

Instead of resisting change, we should embrace it, acknowledging that life is a dance between us and our environment.

Change can be tough, but stability isn't about resisting change. On the contrary, it's about accepting and embracing it. Allostatic thinking can be useful to find stability in tempestuous situations.

Studies show that our ability to handle change impacts our well-being. The more we resist, the more we suffer.

But the good news is, we can grow stronger through change, and it's a skill we can develop.

So, how to deal with change in a practical manner?

Changes will inevitably keep affecting our lives. Pandemics, new technologies, industrial revolutions, personal life events. They won’t stop coming just because you wish for it.

Let’s face it, change is constant, but our ability to work with it directly affects our happiness. So, it’s up to you to choose how you would like to go through it.

Normalise change, focus on what you can control, and let go of the rest. When change happens, the best thing to do is ask yourself what skilful actions can be taken.

Practise this mindset and you'll get better at it at every change situation.

Succeeding in a change process requires ruggedness and flexibility. Be tough and determined, but also adapt and evolve.

This combination allows you to navigate the cycle of order, disorder, and reorder with skill, just like stepping into Heraclitus's river.

Keep that in mind: change is inevitable. It's how we respond that matters.  To truly thrive, we must transform our relationship with change.

Instead of resisting, embrace it. Life is a constant exchange between shaping and being shaped by change. Embrace it, and you'll not only survive but thrive.