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Some days, life can feel like it's too much. It doesn’t matter whether it’s because you’re facing a challenging situation or because you worry that things never go your way. Feeling overwhelmed is an unpleasant sensation.
Photo by Christian Erfurt on Unsplash
You may feel...
- Trapped by burdens you can’t remove
- As if all your efforts were vain
- There is no way out.
Does it sound familiar? Then take a step back from the situation and breathe. It will sound difficult to believe, but feeling overwhelmed is something you can control. So, it’s time to prepare a plan of action to take back control of your mental health.
Keep a Journal
Journaling is a great tool to monitor mental health fluctuations and identify harmful triggers. You can create a journal to log your mood, nutrition and water intake, workload, and physical health. This will give you a general overview of what is happening in your life.
Journals also include to-do lists, mentions of challenges or programs to follow, and even appointments. It’s an all-in-one tool, but that’s the right thing to stay on top of your mental health. Paper journals can be elegant and enjoyable if you love DIY crafts.
However, if you prefer a more technical approach, you can find apps such as Elisi that offer a digital replacement to the traditional paper notebook. You’ll still find everything you need at the click of a button.
Surround Yourself with Supportive Individuals
Feeling overwhelmed is unpleasant, and can seem like you're under attack all the time with no way to shield yourself. That’s why it's helpful to have friends and relatives who can give you the support you need. When you are going through high pressure and crushing emotions, the last thing you want is for someone to adopt a confrontational approach.
Instead, cultivate relationships with friends who will listen and take your feelings seriously, however trivial your issues might seem to them. Asking how they can help you and offering guidance for your health are important signs of a supportive environment.
Stay Physically Active
Maintaining regular physical activity can do wonders for your health, both physical and mental. Exercise is good for your body. But it also gives you useful tools to fight off mental health issues.
According to research, exercising can have a significant impact on anxiety and depression. For individuals who are feeling overwhelmed, being physically active can reduce the risk of depression and relieve negative feelings. When you work out, the body releases feel-good hormones, endorphins, that lift your mood.
Take Some Me-Time
Sometimes, your feelings are spot on. If this seems too much for you, it’s because it might be too much. Allow yourself the right to take a break. You don’t have to do everything all the time. You need some me-time to recharge your energy. Whether it means taking a break from toxic relatives or booking some time off at work, me-time can help you get back control.
Life can bring up overwhelming thoughts. We all have moments when things become too much. But these do not have to define you. You can find support from friends and relatives. Using your journal as a guide and diagnostic tool, it’s easy to spot triggers and avoid them in the future.
Finally, make time for your physical and mental health. Being overwhelmed means you don’t commit enough time to yourself.
Want help committing that time to yourself to break the cycle of overwhelm? Book a free 1:1 discovery call with me to find out if coaching is right for you.
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