3 ways to shift out of overwhelm
Feeling overwhelmed is a really icky feeling that can swamp us in deep stress and despair.
In this state, it becomes nearly impossible to see a positive resolution to a problem. Our stress levels are at their max and our entire nervous system is screaming at us to stop, slow down and breathe.
Yet, when we’re overwhelmed we aren’t thinking clearly or logically. If we were, we’d know to stop and take some time out, but more often than not we try and power through, and sometimes we don’t have a choice but to keep going until something is sorted, fixed or resolved.
So here are just three simple but highly effective ways to shift out of overwhelm that might be worth saving somewhere for the next time you find yourself in a highly stressed state that is threatening to engulf you.
Nourish your physical body
Nurturing yourself on a physical level is the most important thing you can do for yourself when feeling overwhelmed.
Often, we’re so distracted by the feeling of overwhelm, thinking it’s all in our heads, that we forget that the mind and body are one unit. When our body is stressed, so is our mind, and vice versa.
If we take action to calm our body down we calm ourselves down at the same time, and it can be as simple as having a large glass of water, eating a snack, or taking some deep breaths.
I find that a lot of stress and overwhelm comes from being dehydrated but there’s no physical symptoms that show me that I’m lacking water. Yet, my stress levels are high and this is a symptom we often gloss over. Hydration for the body when in a state of stress or overwhelm is vital.
We can also fall into feeling overwhelmed when we’re tired and exhausted. Feeling drained, emotionally or physically, is the most detrimental state to be productive in. When we need to conserve our energy for sustaining ourselves we don’t have any left for external situations, hence; overwhelm. We just can’t handle it.
If you can, rest. If you can, take a break. I know it feels detrimental when the to-do list is piling up but overwhelm comes from feeling overburdened so put your burdens down for a moment and allow yourself to stretch out assess them clearly without the weight of them burying you.
Get out of your situation and ground
Change up your environment.
When we’re in a state of overwhelm, trying to complete a task, finish a project or do something that is rapidly spinning us out of control, we need to sharply exit the situation and take stock in a neutral environment.
I can’t express how important this is enough. I recently had a meltdown trying to do a task on my laptop and I was starting to bounce off the kitchen walls in misery and frustration. My stress levels were through the roof but, because I was so stubborn and impatient, I refused to leave the situation, even for a moment, to regroup and gather my thoughts.
We need to leave a situation that is causing us overwhelm because by staying in it we only exacerbate it and feel worse. Having the ability to step outside of a situation lends us the aid of perspective which we greatly need when in a state of overwhelm.
If you’re lucky enough to have a garden, get outside with your bare feet on the ground and just walk around, maybe with a herbal tea, and let the earth ground you, it’s what it’s there for.
If you don’t have a green space nearby you can pad around in and swap electrons with the earth, then just taking a walk around the block can do wonders.
Express yourself and talk it out
Talking is a life-saver, it’s why we have organisations like the Samartians, we need them. As human beings, we need to express and communicate how we feel because it’s so damn healing.
When we carry all our stresses and burdens on our own shoulders and don’t share the load, we are bound to feel weighed down, exhausted and overwhelmed by life. Contrary to popular opinion, talking about ourselves isn’t self-indulgent, that’s an outdated concept that stems from a traumatised generation’s experience of shame.
There is a mighty difference between wanting to speak about yourself for attention versus speaking about your problems in the hope of support and advice. You’re not a covert narcissist so stop feeling guilty about leaning on those you love, that’s what they’re there for, as you are also there for them when they need you.
Something I see in my clinic all the time is clients sharing with me that they don’t want to burden others with their problems, so they keep all their worries inside.
What I tell them is that sharing our stresses and worries with others does not burden them with it. Your family and friends love you and want you to be happy, but if you don’t feel comfortable sharing with them, find someone else, whether it’s a practitioner or stranger you can talk to.
Extra support when feeling overwhelmed
Having a toolkit for those overwhelming moment is vital, so here’s a sneak peak at mine.
I highly recommend Bach Flower Rescue Remedy to have on standby during stressful moments. I pop it under my tongue and dab it on my frontal eminences (the two prominent bumps on your forehead). I also recommend the Ultimate Stress Relief cream which smells divine and calms me down.
Another of my favourite tools for feeling overwhelmed is my legs. I walk and walk and walk when I’m feeling overwhelmed, sometimes I shout into the wind or have a little cry, and I always come back feeling a million times more grounded, peaceful and stable in my emotions.
Lastly, the trick is to find an activity that brings you peace and comfort.
For some people it might be cooking, for others it’s listening to music or an audio book, and for me it’s writing. When I write I can focus my mind, landing back into myself which is what overwhelm tries to steal away.
So, go find your thing and remember it for the next time you’re feeling overwhelmed or stressed.
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