There is no denying that we can all feel overwhelmed at times. You only have to look at what we have all been through in the last year to understand why. Life changed dramatically, and we are only just getting through the other side. But the thing to remember is that life is likely to be overwhelming for many different reasons. It might be your job, your family, being a mum or feeling mum guilt, or even just struggling to manage household jobs and life admin. Being an adult is hard no matter what your circumstances are.
The truth is, feeling overwhelmed doesn’t mean you are failing or falling apart. Overhwlme can hit you at any moment. It doesn’t matter what tipped you over the edge; it is how you cope with it and move forward that will make the most significant difference. So how can you deal with feeling overwhelmed? Here are some of the tips that can help.
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Planning can help
Planning your days and weeks can help you to start feeling less overwhelmed. If you have everything you need to be doing, the places you need to be, swirling through your thoughts, then it is likely to feel worse than it actually is. Make a plan, write a list and give yourself the best possible success chance. Never underestimate the power of a list.
Exercise
Many of us will know the beauty of exercise and how good it is for us, but it is one of the best ways to deal with mental health struggles. Feeling overwhelmed may lead to feelings of anxiety and worry, so exercising could help eliminate all of that. It might be that you go out for a walk in the fresh air, a run, or even do a home workout. It could make a big difference.
Don’t underestimate the power of your diet
You may be thinking that your diet will have nothing to do with your feelings of overwhelm, but this is where you are wrong. If you feel this way, you will likely be resorting to quick fixes for your meals, junk food on the go, or even not eating at all. We have all been there. Nourish your body with the fuel it needs to function. Planning your meals and batch cooking can help you ensure that you eat a healthy and balanced diet.
Stay hydrated
Drinking plenty of water can have just a smooch as a positive effect as eating the right things. Staying hydrated will help increase your energy levels, give you a clear head, and help you feel focused on the things you need to do. If you struggle to drink water, then have a bottle with you to be constantly reminded of it.
Meditation
Meditation can be one of the best ways to clear your mind, focus on your breath, and feel more in tune with your feelings. So why not give it a go if you are feeling overwhelmed? If you have struggled to do this before, then downloading a meditation app for some guided meditations could help you understand the process of meditating. Some people have said this can also help with feelings of anxiety.
Cut out the caffeine and alcohol
The last thing you want to do when it comes to your feelings is to fuel them negatively. Drinking caffeinated or alcoholic drinks can do just that. A good idea would be to cut them out and replace them with water to have a clear head. Many people turn to these drinks when they are struggling and seek solace in them, but they can have a negative impact on how you feel and, in some cases, make it worse.
Write things down
One of the simplest ways to deal with how you are feeling is to write it down. Taking all of those thoughts you might be having out of your head and putting them on paper can feel cleansing. You might also want to start journaling. It can help you process your thoughts and see things a little clearer. A great way to journal is to start keeping a gratitude diary. This promotes positive thinking and helps you see some of the things you are grateful for and view your life day-to-day differently.
Focus on positive thoughts and cut out the negativity
You might be feeling a little negative right now, especially if you are feeling overwhelmed. So a good idea is to recognise that you might have a negative thought process at the moment and try to change that actively. It might feel hard at first to do this, as negativity breeds negativity and can make things worse. But changing your habits takes time. Perseverance is critical, and you will soon spot the difference it can make.
Focus on right now
Once you have overcome your feelings of negativity, it is essential to focus on what is going on right now. Making sure you focus on the things that you can control, ask yourself what it is you can do right now to take a step in the right direction? Keep asking yourself at different points in the day, and you will start to notice that you are making some positive changes to your life. Some things will not be able to be controlled, and if you can’t do anything, then you need to learn to let go.
Stop the guilt
The last thing to do would be to stop the guilt. We can feel guilty for all sorts of things going on, past and present, but you need to be in a position to overcome that. It might be worth taking some time to think about what you can change and how best you can do that. Again this is all about focusing on what is going on right now and what you control. Guilt will riddle your mind if you are not careful, so take some time out to forgive yourself for the things that might be haunting you and stopping you from moving forward. It is time to let it go.
Let’s hope these tips help you if you are feeling overwhelmed.
