I suspect we have all wondered this at some point. Just when you are already feeling up to your eyes with so much going on something else happens and you feel it is all getting on top of you.
Are you the type of person who powers through, feeling that if you do not everything you are carefully juggling will come tumbling down around you? Or maybe you prefer ‘the ostrich’. Head in the sand hoping whatever it is will go away if you ignore it for long enough.
Trouble is, these things do not tend to go away, and life does not get less busy.
So, what can you do when things feel too much?
- Breathe
Yes, seriously, breathe. Take a deep, slow breath focusing on a long outward breathe to help you pause and relax your body. There are many breathing exercises you can do but when overwhelmed just a deep, slow breath or two can work wonders.
2. Exercise
It is really easy for exercise to fall by the wayside when busy, but it is something that helps maintain our wellbeing and keeps us going through stressful periods. Even if you cannot get to the gym or that yoga class, doing ten minutes of something you enjoy at home can help.
3. Fresh air
A walk around the block to get some fresh air in your lungs can give you the space you need to move through some of the overwhelm. Walking in nature, even if it is just the small park nearby, can help even more.
4. Talk to a psychotherapist
Talking to a trained professional about what is going on can help you find clarity, identify coping strategies, and look at patterns underneath your behaviour to support you in the long-term.
If you would like to talk to a psychotherapist you can contact me.