So you’ve got some tips for nipping overwhelm in the bud before it really catches hold but what if you constantly feel overwhelmed? In this blog post, we’ll be exploring some strategies for dealing with this too. We’ll look at asking for help, ways to identify the source of your overwhelm, how perfectionism works against us and more. So if you’re feeling overwhelmed, read on for some helpful suggestions!
It’s totally normal to feel scared, frustrated, anxious, and even angry when things get on top of you and you feel like you’re drowning in a sea of responsibilities and tasks. But if it’s happening every day for weeks or months, then that’s going to impact your health and it’s time to learn how to handle it.
Suggestions for Dealing with the Constant Feeling of Overwhelm
Don’t let yourself get weighed down by the struggles of having too much on your plate. Take action to help you manage the constant sense of being overwhelmed. Here are a few tips to help you out:
Ask For Help
Sometimes, when you’re feeling overwhelmed, it takes more than just organising your to do list to get through it. A friend’s comforting words or even an understanding HR rep can really help you regain your balance. They can help you put things in perspective and get back on track.
Identify the Primary Cause
Take a step back and assess what’s going on in your life or career. Ask yourself what is causing you to feel stressed and overwhelmed? Have you got a big project looming at work or at home? Is it a smaller project that has a huge significance to you? Maybe it’s time to delegate some of the work to co-workers or family members. If you can hand off the task, do so. If you can’t hand it off or it’s too a large a project, break it down into smaller, more manageable pieces. Delegate some of those if you can.
Put Perfectionism in Its Place
Perfectionism can really get in the way of getting things done. It can make projects seem bigger than they really are, and it often leads to procrastination, which can leave us feeling overwhelmed by the sheer amount of stuff we have to do. Instead, it’s important to set boundaries for ourselves and decide if taking on a project is truly necessary or if someone else can do it for us. Remember that done is better than perfect.
Breathe Deeply
When you’re feeling overwhelmed, take a deep breath and relax. Your body might be tense and your breaths shallow at this point. Slowing down to breathe from your diaphragm will help you lower your stress response. From there you can then prioritise what needs to be done. So, take a moment to inhale deeply and exhale slowly. You’ll feel better in no time.
Establish Boundaries
It’s an essential skill to learn to tell people ‘no’ for your long term well-being. Yes, it’s possible that you may have to let people down in the short term. “Soldiering on through” though is going to take a toll on both your mental health and eventually your physical health as well. There will then come a point when your body will force you to take a break and you’ll be letting both yourself and others down too. Prioritise your mental health and take steps to prevent feeling overwhelmed (check our series on boundaries here).
Keep a Journal
Journaling is a great way to unload all your thoughts and feelings. It’s like a mental detox – get it all out and onto the page so you can work through it and find clarity. Writing it down can be a huge relief – it’s like a weight off your shoulders.
If you constantly feel overwhelmed it’s an uncomfortable and difficult experience. However, by taking the time to recognize the signs of overwhelm, understanding the causes, and implementing some of the strategies outlined above, you can take steps to manage and ultimately reduce the feeling of overwhelm in your life. Everyone has a different approach to managing overwhelm, so find what works best for you and don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it. With a little practice, you can learn to recognise and manage the feeling of overwhelm and take back control of your life.