Do you often feel a sense of overwhelm with the number of things you need to do or choose to do?
Or maybe this feeling of overwhelm has nothing to do with tasks. It has everything to do with the emotional baggage you carry.
Maybe, like me and for all people I know it is a mix of the two. We all become a little heavy with the emotional wounds of life and the tasks we need to accomplish intellectually.
So, how to deal with overwhelm when every day presents a very unique and different challenge?
You may be a working mother, parent, young professional, caretaker for your senior ailing parents, or a student trying to compete in a very competitive entrance exam. It does not matter what the challenge is, you know you feel overwhelmed sometimes. It happens to all of us!
But what is overwhelm?
How do you know you are feeling overwhelmed?
It can start with extreme fatigue and an inability to think clearly. Usually, you feel on the brink of burnout and want to just escape somehow and stop everything you are doing.
If you don’t pause, reflect, clarify and recalibrate very often it does lead to burnout.
So it’s very important to know how to cope with overwhelm in your life. Some tips follow
TIPS TO OVERCOME OVERWHELM
1. Ten rounds of deep abdominal breathing: Yes, this is very simple and works like magic. Just make sure your out-breath is longer than your in-breath.
2. Chanting OM: Or listening to an hour-long om chant while you get through some simple tasks or everyday work/home errands can be very grounding
3. Decluttering : This is very effective if you are seeking clarity, something about the physical act of decluttering can help you through your mental clutter too
4. Walking : Just head out for a walk and preferably walk alone as this is where you can engage with your thoughts. Avoid all co-walkers who make it a habit to cry on your shoulder or complain about their life. Such company exaggerates overwhelm.
5. Journal : Sit down and write what you are going through and ask yourself questions to ponder over, writing enhances clarity and helps you feel grounded
6. Talk to a Friend : Remember this is useful only if your friend is wise and has the best intentions for you. Avoid all superficial friends and “kitty party” variants as they will wear you down further. Also start limiting your social circle to only wise friends. This is very important in times of extreme change.
7. Soothing Massage : Get a massage or go for a spa treatment if that is something you enjoy
8. Read: Curl up with a good book and sleep and read all day, pause when you need to reflect on what you are reading. Slow down.
9. Catch the sunset or sunrise: Curl up with your favourite beverage and some healthy snacks and spend time soaking in the sun rise or sun set
10. Play: Play with a child, play with a pet, do something completely frivolous, see a comedy and laugh it off
11. Music and Dance: Listen to music that livens your soul, dance, sing, cook or dabble in artwork. Create a playlist that you can “go to” in times of stress and overwhelm
12. Accomplishments List: Journal your accomplishments in the last few months or years
13. Yoga and Exercise: Engage in yoga, stretch and exercise with a focus on your breath
14. Consume good content: Become very mindful and intentional, listen to podcasts that teach you to slow down and go within
15. Hobbies: Indulge in your hobbies: music, art, crochet, woodcarving, photography etc.
And the list can go on. The point is to pause, breathe, allow yourself time to rest, recover and redirect as needed. Slowing down is good for the soul.
One aspect you may need to consider is if you are overworked perpetually. Then, this is a sign you need to delegate some tasks. So apart from the above tips, you need to figure out which tasks you need to get help for.
Another aspect is when you have not done much “workwise” and yet feel heavy and overwhelmed often. This is often an indicator of emotional baggage. You can try the tips above and see how they work for you. I feel you will definitely find one small tip that works for you in this long list we curated for you. 🙂
All of us feel overwhelmed at times. If you are seeking assistance in your journey to cope with overwhelm and stress, do write in to us. We will be happy to understand your needs and customize a few sessions for you. Do share your needs at the following link Book A Session with LifeVidya
If you are looking for more similar content, click on our video ” Embracing Uncertainty “
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