Do you ever feel like you’re in way over your head? Like you have too many tasks and not enough time to complete them all? If so, you’re not alone. Many of us can relate to the feeling of being overwhelmed. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Here are 7 steps to regaining control and overcoming overwhelm.
When you take on too much, it can really take a toll on your mental and physical health. Your body responds to the stress by releasing hormones that can make you feel irritable and short-tempered. You might forget to eat as you focus on getting your list done. You might find yourself being more accident-prone as your attention is elsewhere. All of which can lead to more serious issues if you continue this way. It’s important to be aware of your limits and take breaks when you need them before too much damage is done.
We’ve looked at some of the causes of feeling overwhelmed but before we go further I want to share some quick tools to help you deal with the feelings.
7 Things to Keep in Mind When You Feel Overwhelmed
When life starts to feel a bit too much, remember that it’s totally normal to feel overwhelmed. Everyone experiences it from time to time. To help get back on track, here are seven things to keep in mind:
- Your emotions are natural: Feelings of overwhelm are often a sign from your body that it is time to slow down and scale back. Fortunately, it’s often possible to take charge of your emotions at this stage and replace those overwhelmed vibes with something more positive.
- It isn’t the end of the world: This is part of life. The good news is that you can stop the feelings of overwhelm by understanding what’s going on and taking action to keep it from spiraling out of control. It’s all about being proactive!
- Take action instead of overthinking: Action breeds more movement and can propel you out of your feelings of overwhelm. Additionally, new opportunities will crop up to help you make progress on your project(s).
- Now is a good time for a brain dump: Overwhelm leaves our minds cluttered. By writing down all of the things you need to do or feel, you can help clear your head and free up some mental space. It’s a great way to lighten your load and make room for more important things.
- Step outside: No need to be chained to your desk all day! Take a break and give your body the rest it needs to hit the reset button and get your energy back.
- Avoiding digital stimulation is the better choice: Getting lost in social media can leave you feeling even worse when you realise you lost time to work. Notifications can leave you in a constant state of panic. Remember that it is okay to turn off notifications for periods of time and focus on what you need to get done.
- You have been here before: More than likely, you have felt this way before. Don’t worry, it won’t last. You can make it go away faster by taking action.
Learning to recognise the signs of overwhelm and taking proactive steps to address it can be a game-changer for you. The next time you feel overwhelmed, remember these 7 steps to overcoming overwhelm and take action!