How do you cope with being overwhelmed?

How do you cope with being overwhelmed?

Life can be wonderful and full of joy and laughter. At times, this could feel like it could go on forever, and just as quickly, life can turn into a whirlwind of responsibilities, expectations, challenges, and deadlines, often leaving us feeling overwhelmed. Whether it’s the demands of a busy work schedule, juggling family responsibilities, or simply the stress of everyday life, feeling overwhelmed is a common experience. It’s essential to learn how to cope with the feeling of being overwhelmed to maintain your mental and emotional well-being.

Feeling overwhelmed can be simply described as feeling like things are too much and have gone overboard. It’s like a box that’s been filled to the brim and overflowing with things, and the box can’t be neatly closed. It’s likely you have your own ways to cope with this. Most people do, but a lot of people fall into the trap of using destructive coping mechanisms. For example, someone under too much stress may turn to alcohol. There are people who cope by becoming obsessive and then develop obsessive compulsive behaviours.

Fortunately, there are things you can do to help that don’t necessarily lead to unhealthy addictions or behaviours.

Take time to organise yourself
One of the biggest reasons for feeling overwhelmed is a lack of organisation and clarity over your responsibilities and what is expected of you. You can always start simply, by creating a to-do list that breaks down your tasks into smaller, manageable steps. You could prioritise your tasks based on urgency followed by importance. This is a simple activity, but taking time to organise yourself can help you regain a sense of control and reduce the feeling of being overwhelmed.

Learning to manage your boundaries
It’s easy to become overwhelmed when you say yes to every request or opportunity that comes your way. In fact, people have a tendency to load more and more onto someone who is seen as willing and capable of doing more. Learning how to draw your boundaries and saying, “Enough is enough,” can be crucial for maintaining your mental and emotional health. This means being able to say no to people as it defines the limits of what you are willing to accept. Take some time to assess your commitments and be selective about taking on additional responsibilities and you can prevent any future headaches.

Practice mindfulness techniques to help you relax
Mindfulness and relaxation techniques can often be powerful tools to cope with stress and anxiety. They are also good for helping to relieve the extra burdens you’ve taken onto yourself. Techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, and progressive muscle relaxation can help you stay grounded and reduce stress. Like exercise, incorporate these practices into your daily routine can build resilience against overwhelming situations.

Seeking help and support
One of the things that contribute to feeling like you’re being overwhelmed is that you think you have to do everything by yourself, when you don’t actually have to carry the burden on your shoulders alone. You should reach out to friends, family, or colleagues for support when you’re feeling overwhelmed. Sometimes, talking through your challenges or seeking help with things you’re doing can provide fresh perspectives and solutions. People can be more helpful than you sometimes assume, and asking for help may actually get you the help you require.

Rather than seeing the experience as a negative one, view this feeling as an opportunity for growth and self-awareness. Reflect on what triggered your feelings and how you can better manage similar situations in the future. Learning from your experiences can help you to develop more effective coping strategies for yourself.

Being overwhelmed and feeling overwhelmed common occurrences of life, but it doesn’t have to be a constant presence. By implementing certain strategies and making self-care a priority, you can learn to cope and find calm amidst the chaos of life.

Join us at College of Allied Educators to learn more about yourself, what motivates you, and how you can find happiness, meaning, and success in work, love, and life.

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