Feeling overwhelmed by life is a common occurrence for most of us at some point in our life. Whether it’s with work, with family members, with friends or with something else, it’s a common occurrence.
But when you start to feel constantly overwhelmed, this can become a bigger problem, causing both mental and physical health issues.
To avoid this, you need to know how you can deal with the issue – we’re going to look at what you should do when you feel overwhelmed.
Signs and Symptoms of Being Overwhelmed
But first, it’s a good idea to know if you’re struggling with a burden. Feeling overwhelmed by life is tough to deal with, but accepting that you’ve got an issue is the first thing you need to do.
There are some common signs that you may have bitten off more than you can chew.
- Persistent feelings of stress and anxiety: This may include a constant sense of dread, worry, restlessness, or irritability. Anxiety can also manifest as physical symptoms, such as a racing heartbeat or trembling.
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions: Overwhelm can hinder your ability to think clearly, resulting in confusion or difficulties in decision-making.
- Insomnia or sleep disturbances: When you’re overwhelmed, your mind might keep running through your concerns, making it difficult for you to fall asleep or stay asleep.
- Changes in appetite: Some people may lose their appetite or start to overeat when they feel overwhelmed.
- Emotional instability: You may find yourself feeling unusually emotional, crying easily, or getting upset more quickly than usual.
- Feelings of fatigue or exhaustion: Feeling overwhelmed can be mentally and emotionally tiring, leaving you feeling constantly worn out.
- Social withdrawal: Overwhelm might make you want to avoid interactions with other people, even those you usually enjoy spending time with.
- Decreased productivity or performance: When overwhelmed, it can be hard to accomplish tasks effectively, whether at work, school, or in other areas of your life.
- Physical symptoms: Some people may experience headaches, stomach aches, or other physical discomfort due to high stress levels associated with feeling overwhelmed.
- Feelings of being stuck or trapped: When overwhelmed, you may feel as if you can’t see a way out of your current situation.
If you feel the above signs, then there’s a good chance that you’re dealing with feelings of overwhelm ij your life.
9 Things to Remember When You are Feeling Overwhelmed With Life
The truth is, taking deep breaths can only do so much when it comes to dealing with big issues. The good thing is that if you’re feeling overwhelmed by life, there are some coping strategies you can use to help you deal with the issue.
Focus on the stuff within your control
Breathe deeply. When you feel overwhelmed, depressed or confused, a good area to focus on is what you can control, and try to forget about the things that you cannot. Relaxing doesn’t come easy to some people, but it’s essential for your mental and physical wellbeing.
So when overwhelming thoughts appear, it’s important to only think about the things that you have the power to change. And if you can’t change it, then take a deep breath and move on.
It’s a Breakdown of Thoughts, Not of Life
Our minds feel so overwhelmed at the end of a long day. Our thoughts help us control who we are and who we evolve into, so it’s important to break things down into smaller chunks as opposed to trying to deal with every issue at once.
If we’re overwhelmed, it’s really important to take things one small step at a time. This is often the best way to tackle mental health issues, and it can stop you from constantly feeling overwhelmed by life.
It’s probably time to put yourself first
Many people are so busy dealing with the problems of other people that they never get the chance to deal with their own issues.
When something seems hard, some people find solace in work and taking care of others. However, the truth is that you need to focus on your own life if you want to be able to take care of others.
The best way to prioritize yourself is to look at things from a fresh perspective. What would benefit you the most, and where can you improve?
You may decide you need to get to bed early so you can get a good night’s sleep, or perhaps you can improve your diet – but putting yourself first is key to all of this.
Clarify Your Thoughts With Journaling
When overwhelmed, sometimes it’s a good idea to create your own to do list with all of the things that you need done.
Spending just a few minutes each day journalling allows you to put all of your thoughts and feelings on paper can alleviate those stressful feelings, and work wonders for your mental health.
When I begin to start feeling overwhelmed by my thoughts, I simply get my journal out and empty my brain onto the paper – this is a great thing to do if you feel anxious, and can help to empty your mind.
Know That Feeling Overwhelmed is Natural
The evolution of human emotion has been relatively recent, since the rise of brain research in the 19th century.
However, modern neuroscientists understand human emotions are linked through a neural network, and feeling overwhelmed is actually a normal feeling for us as human beings.
So, be sure to remember that it’s completely normal for people to feel overwhelmed at times. However, learning how to tell your brain that it is time to slow down can result in better health.
You don’t have to push through feeling overwhelmed
Our hard work is enough to make us feel overwhelmed, but persistently trying to push through difficult times can actually be detrimental to our health in the long term. Sometimes, more effort isn’t what is needed – what’s needed is a different approach altogether.
Remember that it’s possible to relax and take a break from what you’re currently doing, and remembering this can help you avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Can therapy help my overwhelm?
Though many people shudder at the thought of going to therapy, this can sometimes be necessary for those that are having real issues with their emotions. If you struggle to feel calm and are in a constant state of anxiety, this could be an indicator of a bigger issue at hand.
If you think that you may have an anxious attachment or post traumatic stress disorder, the best solution for you will likely be to get therapy.
Gratitude Can Help Immensely
To do lists are one thing, but sometimes it can take a whole mindset change if you really want things to get better.
This involves switching the perspective of the way you look at things, which can definitely be tough if you’ve felt like this for a while.
Something that many people find helps them to feel grounded is to remember all the things that you feel grateful for in life.
Remembering all the positive things that occurred in your life over the past few years, and everything that you’ve achieved, can make you feel comfortable with any obstacle.
Pay attention to how you are feeling
It’s important to know that you have the bravery and courage to make small changes that will then help ease your stress. If you’re easily overwhelmed, remember that these feelings will eventually pass – this isn’t a constant state, it’s a fleeting moment that will soon go.
The choice in how you deal with this is up to you. I know it’s difficult to cope, so make sure that you take a pause if you get overwhelmed, and remember you can change everything within your power one small step at a time.
Conclusion
You might be thinking that you’ve got too much to tackle, and there’s no escaping that feeling of anxiety. But, dealing with these situations and making sure that you resolve them is key if you want rid yourself of negative emotions.
Taking a small step each day is the key to make sure that you’re always improving. And in doing this, you can make sure that you never feel overwhelmed again.
