No one really wants to feel overwhelmed' it's generally not a positive experience. Yet, it's all too common, people everywhere are feeling overwhelmed. It doesn't have to get the best of you! There is relief!
The first step in eliminating overwhelm is to briefly look at possible contributing factors (or triggers); here are a few:
- trying to please everyone or people you care about
- not having enough resources
- too many choices and not enough time to do it all
- unrealistic expectations, mostly put on us by ourselves
- no end in sight; no light at the end of the tunnel
Do you tend to have only one or two factors that affect you? Or does it seem like almost all of them come into play?
Next, learn to recognize how it manifests in you. Here are some common feelings associated with being overwhelmed:
- helplessness, feeling like nothing you do will help the situation
- anxiety, frustration, restlessness
- discouragement, depression - 'why try, it won't change anything' attitude
- feeling stuck or paralyzed, unable to take action
Knowing how overwhelm tends to manifest in you will make it easier to recognize; you can address it more readily and get back to a more balanced and enjoyable life sooner rather than later.
What you can do to eliminate that feeling of being overwhelmed:
- Know your triggers. Why make it harder for yourself! (e.g. - if not having enough time always overwhelms you, you can have a plan in place to help you avoid taking on more projects or commitments.)
- Break down yours stressors into bite-size manageable pieces. For example, if there's no end in sight, create one. Plan to give yourself a break after a period of time, then you can refresh and go at it again.
- Take care of you. Tending to your physical needs isn't an option. Cutting corners here will only make matters worse; a tired and neglected body will work against you.
- Prioritize. You only have 24 hours in a day. Are you using your hours in a way that brings you joy and is congruent with your values? Are you trying to do too much? Get good at prioritizing! This may mean incorporating a daily practice (prayers, meditation, yoga...) that keeps you centered.
- Ask for help. There is no shame in asking for help; maybe you can delegate, use a team, combine resources, or get support (e.g. - work with a coach). Not asking for help could cause you to stay overwhelmed for a longer period of time.
By practicing the steps outlined above, there is relief. Enjoy more days feeling great about life!
