Why are we really resistant to change?

In the past, I found it hard to understand why some of my clients resist any change I suggest for them to feel better.

Change might take the form of changing their diet, exercising more or managing their stress.

Excuses for implementing change

Common excuses include the following:

“It’s too hard.”

“I don’t have the time.”

In the past, I would outwardly say I understood but inwardly roll my eyes in frustration.

Why would somebody feel terrible even though they knew they would feel better if they didn’t eat wheat?

A possible answer to this question came to me while listening to a new book entitled the body keeps the score.

In the book, the author describes how higher-weight people do not want to lose weight because they gain the psychological benefit of being that way.

For example, one child felt more comfortable being heavy because it stopped others from bullying him.

This is a relatively extreme example of why someone would resist change, but I sense that the same idea can be applied to anyone resisting change.

It begs to ask a deeper question.

Why are we resistant to change?

Disclaimer

This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

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