You’re overwhelmed.
The responsibilities, appointments, and deadlines keep piling on. No matter how big or small the tasks are, each seems to carry the weight of a 1,000 bricks. Someone on the outside is probably able to look at your to-do list and see an easy solution—I mean, how hard IS it to do the dishes and pay the gas bill?
Sure those things are causing you some stress, but when you’re filled with an overwhelming sense, it’s more than just the dishes and bills—it’s the feelings and emotions that start to pile on as well. Trying to prioritize you to-do’s while juggling the stress and anxiety you’re feeling is more than enough. Coupling that with calming your overwhelmed nerves screams meltdown in the making.
If you’re anything like me, being overwhelmed turns you into a possum—instead of doing anything to alleviate your stress, you lay on your side in a catatonic state. Maybe playing dead will trick life into bullying someone else. But as we know, this is far from helpful. So if summoning your inner marsupial isn’t the answer, what is? In hopes of helping you mellow out, here are 6 things you can do the next time life gets overwhelming.
1. Get Outside
In my humble opinion, nature is THE BEST source of rejuvenating energy. There’s really no right or wrong way to go about this one—just get outside and breathe in fresh air! Depending on your personal preference, you could:
- Take a walk around your neighborhood
- Go for a bike ride
- Do some swimming or fishing at a nearby lake
- Spend an afternoon going for a hike.
By focusing on the sights around you, the feeling of the wind, and the smell of the earth, you’re allowing yourself to slow down. Once you’re able to do that, you’ll free up space in your mind to prioritize your to-do list. This is also a great way to release that pent-up anxious energy that I know you have.
2. Take Some Time Off
Sometimes the only way to rid yourself of stress if to take some time off–give yourself an afternoon or a day to just be. Allow yourself permission to forget about all of the things you need to do, and focus on providing yourself with the care you need. Use this time to:
- Engage in a hobby
- Read a book
- Take a bath
- Glue yourself to the sofa surrounded by your favorite junk food and a binge worthy show on autoplay.
We’re programed to see this as laziness, but that’s definitely not the truth. Self-care isn’t lazy—it’s essential to staying balanced and productive.
3. Write Out A To-Do List
This might not work for everyone, but as a visual person, this tends to help me out a lot. Keeping mental notes of everything you need to do is stressful, exhausting, and, well, overwhelming. You’re also bound to forget something—or drive yourself mad thinking that you’ve forgotten something. On the flip side, it’s also hard to visualize your completion list when it’s stored up there.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, you might find some relief by writing down what you need to do, unburdening your memory. As you start to complete the things on your list, check those off with pride! I’ve noticed that as I start to see my list getting smaller, I tend to become more motivated to continue chipping away at it.
4. Eat Your Favorite Meal
Though everyone’s feel-good meal is different, there’s a reason it’s called comfort food. For me, it’s a toss up between truffle risotto and tteokbokki. If I’m having a rough day or feeling overwhelmed, these two foods seem to make everything right in the world. As you’re eating your meal, make sure to stay present. Focus on the food and the way it makes you feel. Also, try to avoid letting your anxious thoughts barrel their way in–this is your time, damnit! I’m willing to bet that once you’ve finished eating, you’ll feel a little more relaxed. This would be the time to engage your logical brain (as opposed to your emotional brain–since we all know that being overwhelmed makes us feel a tad unhinged), and work through your stress.
5. Don’t Be Afraid To Say “No”
All of the people pleasers out there aren’t going to like this one—no judgment from me, I’m one of you. Chances are, you’re feeling overwhelmed because you’ve agreed to take on too many tasks. Sure you have your own array of responsibilities, but you probably have a handful of people you’re also trying to help out. The problem is, we’re not much help to ourselves, let alone anyone else, when life gets overwhelming. Have you ever heard the saying, “you can’t pour from an empty cup?” By taking on too many tasks, that’s what you’re doing–pouring from an empty cup. Allow your cup time to refill, and then use your cup’s overflow to extend a helping hand to those in need.
6. Ask For Help
Just as I’m sure you wouldn’t hesitate to help someone else, don’t be afraid to seek help when life get overwhelming. This could be in the form of:
- Asking your partner to help with the chores around the house so you can focus on more pressing matters.
- Asking a co-worker to help you meet your fast approaching deadlines—just don’t forget to return the favor.
- Venting to a friend and asking for advice on how to navigate through your situation.
People are often more willing to help than we think–life is definitely much easier when we ask for what we need and help when we can.
The Calm After The Storm
Life gets overwhelming from time to time—some of us experience it more often than others. If you allow these feelings to take control, it can cause you to feel burnt out or you might even start catastrophizing. Once you reach this point of gloom and doom, it can be extremely hard to pull yourself back out. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, remember to take the time to care for yourself. Listen to your body, and be patient as you worth through whatever it is you need to sort out. You won’t feel overwhelmed forever– don’t forget that when you get through the storm, you’ll get to enjoy the calm seas and sunshine that follow.