5 things to do when feeling overwhelmed

Life can get incredibly hectic. Whether you’re leaning into summer vacation or trying to keep up with life and work, here are five strategies that can help you manage feeling overwhelmed.

Reevaluate Your Priorities

Sometimes we feel overwhelmed because we are trying to do too much at once. While you might be able to get everything done eventually, not everything has to happen simultaneously. Prioritizing what matters most can help you determine where you should be spending your time and energy (so you have enough left over to take care of yourself).

Identify Your Needs

If you’re struggling, take a moment to pause and reflect on what you need. Do you need support, rest, a chat with a friend, or a good cry? Identify your needs so that you can ask for them. Remember, you don’t have to do everything on your own.

As cliché as it sounds, taking care of yourself is essential. Unless you prioritize your well-being, you won’t be able to accomplish your goals or support those around you.

Reassess and Adjust Your Expectations

Be honest. What are you asking of yourself? Are your expectations realistic? Are these expectations negatively impacting your mental health? Instead of making dinner every night, choose two nights that work for you. Rather than going to the gym 5-6 times a week, supplement workouts with walks or stretches at home. If you’re trying to respond to everyone’s texts immediately, start telling people you are stepping back from your phone and will get back to them when you have the energy.

Your expectations should be realistic and match your current capacity.

Validate Your Feelings

It’s easy to dismiss or belittle our feelings in an effort to push on, but the reality is that you are going through a lot, and that needs to be validated and honored. By shushing ourselves, we can feel unseen and discouraged. Practice acknowledging your experience and saying things like, “This is hard.”

Take Deep Breaths and Move Your Body

Calming the body helps calm the mind. Find ways to connect with your body and release the tension, stress, and emotions it stored. This can be achieved through activities like running, dancing, sex, or simply taking deep breaths, to name a few. Discover what works for you and allow your body to express itself.

A life hack I found helpful is to take deep breaths between tasks, before responding, and before making decisions. This practice creates space in my life and provides clarity amid chaos.

Thank you for being part of this community. I hope these strategies help you manage the hectic pace of life and find a bit more peace. Remember, it's okay to take a step back and prioritize your well-being!