Anyone else feeling stressed, stretch thin, or just generally overwhelmed – or just me?
Feeling overwhelmed is no fun, but it’s something many of us experience on a regular basis.The mental loop playing in my head of all the daily chores, work items, appointments, and family obligations can leave me feeling overwhelmed, generally unproductive at times, and kinda cranky too….Thanks brain.
Over time though – through trial and error (mainly error!) -I’ve discovered some great strategies to manage the feeling of being stretched thin or just generally frazzled. They’re definitely not silver bullets, but they can help you find some sanity again….so listen up: You don’t have to stay stuck in an ‘overwhelmed’ rut. Give my favorites a try and see for yourself!
I hope they help!
1. Clear The Mental Clutter
If your to-do list is running on a brain loop then DUMP IT!!! I mean like literally get it out of your head and onto paper. It’s called a brain dump for that very reason. This action of getting your thoughts onto paper alone can bring a sense of relief. It allows you to let your thoughts live outside your brain so you don’t have to worry about forgetting them. Bonus points if you can actually knock a few items off that list.
2. Move Your Body
Did you know that when stress hits, movement is the key? Get outside and take a brisk walk or try doing some yoga. Overwhelm is not something that happens TO us. It comes from the thoughts in our head. Exercise in any form – as little as 10 minutes- can help reduce mental overload and put your brain at ease all while giving an extra boost to your mood!
3. Take A Breather
Discover the power of breathing – 4 slow deep breaths repeated for just a few minutes can be all it takes! Whether you’re looking for a meditative experience or simply want to quiet down your chaotic thoughts, take some time out and find that sliver of peace – no need for an hour-long meditation sesh here! Believe me, just breathe..it works wonders!
4. Untether From Tech
Get off your devices and reboot (au natural)! We’re living in a digital age, so while up-to-date gadgets can be helpful, our brains need time away from the constant stimulation. Overstimulation leaves us drained – but did you know it’s scientifically proven? Put down that screen for an hour (or more!) to observe how much calmer you feel afterwards; research shows this is key to regulating dopamine levels naturally. Some people are more sensitive to the dopamine crash from digital separation than others but every brain needs a break! Digital detoxing isn’t just good advice anymore: science says so too!
5. Schedule Time and Make It Visible
Remember that brain dump in step one? Let’s take that list and schedule them somewhere visible. Major kudos if you schedule the whole week! I like to do this activity either before bed or in the morning…coffee before planning optional but encouraged!
Feeling the need to “do it all” can be paralyzing. But by taking a step back, you’ll likely find that most of your tasks are totally manageable! Prioritize two or three items on your list as ‘must dos’ – then spread the others throughout week if there are too many. A planner is an excellent tool for keeping track of this flow but you don’t have to be fancy. A simple notebook can do the trick. Even though using a calendar or a planner is something that some of us resist, when you do, time becomes tangible and the flow of the day can be seen and analyzed resulting in a more productive, reliable, less stressed version of YOU! And trust me, checking off those accomplishments will give you quite a boost in morale!
Overwhelm doesn’t have to be a permanent state. By completing these five steps…or even just one, you can put yourself on the path of reclaiming your time and sanity. Writing down your thoughts will give clarity; movement, breath and regular tech pauses can help open up capacity; and most important of all – a timely, realistic schedule. Taking these five steps to reign in overwhelm can make all the difference when trying to live a happy and balanced life.
To get you started on the right foot, I am giving away The Ultimate Overcome Overwhelm Guide — It’s a sure fire way to quickly reduce overwhelm TODAY. Be sure to download it now by clicking this link.
In need of extra support? —help is always available! So if the thought of taking action on overwhelm feels daunting, don’t worry: I’ve got you covered!
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