There are just so many things to do and so less time. And what makes things even worse is the fact we want to do everything perfectly.
I can’t stop feeling overwhelmed… Are you in the same boat?
It is something that millions of people struggle with.
Bought a new puppy, got a new job, got in a relationship, heard some bad news, during pregnancy, became a parent, after-divorce thoughts… all these can easily trigger that feeling of ‘so-much-to-do’.
And then there are also instances of feeling overwhelmed over nothing or by other people’s problems.
It calms your mind, enhances imagination, brings more clarity and focus to your thoughts, and just makes you think how small we and our problems are.
To that, it connects you with Mother Nature. The beautiful sky, floating clouds, birds flying underneath them and the breeze brushing your cheeks—MAGICAL!
So go to your terrace, garden or park. Lie on the ground and just look at clouds, sky, and birds. You will feel very free and relaxed. Do it.
You would feel light-head, calmed and more focused on waking up.
Good luck!
For more self-help, inspiring, how to be happy and uplifting stuff, follow Mr. Jubilant on Twitter :)
I can’t stop feeling overwhelmed… Are you in the same boat?
It is something that millions of people struggle with.
Bought a new puppy, got a new job, got in a relationship, heard some bad news, during pregnancy, became a parent, after-divorce thoughts… all these can easily trigger that feeling of ‘so-much-to-do’.
And then there are also instances of feeling overwhelmed over nothing or by other people’s problems.
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| How to avoid feeling overwhelmed all the time? |
At large, the causes of feeling overwhelmed all the time can be put into three categories:
1) Time pressure— you have to do many things in limited time
2) Self-imposed— this can be broadly classified into 2 sections:
3. External Events— like someone else’s problems
In which category do you put your case in?
Regardless. This feeling isn’t pretty. It’s a type of anxiety that can really take a toll on your emotional and physical health.
It would make you feel tired, sad, and in a complete mess with no sense of direction in life.
So, you need to proactively fix the problem. Thankfully, it isn’t really “very difficult”.
Also Read: Make 2018 Better with 21 Self Development Goals
So if you’re feeling extremely overwhelmed, accept that you’re in a deep mess. Don’t try to fight it off by doing what you believe needs to be done. Instead, treat this feeling as a problem.
Once you do this, you will be more perceptive to the solutions. You will be much more open to treating it rather than just getting carried away in the flow and hoping that the situation would change.
In a new relationship, in a new job, with a new puppy, with a new-born, after a divorce, during the exams….
These things are not even very big yet they play our mind. We over-think. And then we start feeling overwhelmed with life.
It’s all in our mind. That is where it starts—and that is where it needs to end.
So if you want to avoid this feeling, you have got to control your mind. And to do that, you need to listen to what it is saying in the first place. How?
I personally find writing as the best way to listen and control my mind.
You see, our mind keeps on repeating the same problems we’re facing to keep us reminded all the time. It is so that we don’t forget that there are things we need to do and problems we need to face in life.
When you write down all the things the mind is repeatedly saying to you – ‘things we need to do and problems we need to face in life’ – you’re indirectly telling it to SHUT UP because you have already written it down and you don’t need to be reminded of it anymore.
I know, it might sound a little weird. But it works amazing.
I write down all the things that are in my head, all the things I need to do and all the things that I need to focus on. Once I do this, it automatically clears up my mind. And I feel much lighter.
Do it. Early morning every day (or whenever you get time) sit down with a pen and copy for at least 7 minutes and write whatever comes in your time, the things you have to do and the problems you’re facing.
It’s like a free writing or journaling. It would very much help you calm and control your mind.
You feel much more organized because you go from “I need to do so many things” to “I know what I need to do next”.
The best practice is to plan your tomorrow before you go to bed tonight. Write down the things that need to be taken care of tomorrow. I highly prefer writing in copy, but you can use any app. Also, don’t be over-ambitious. Keep the plan realistic.
So if you’re feeling overwhelmed all the time, listen to some good music. It doesn’t have to be a soothing one—although it helps if it is.
Also Read: 15 Songs That Will Make You Happy Instantly
You have likely watched The Shawshank Redemption. If not, give it a watch right away.
Here’s a list of 18 Feel-Good Movies that will leave you much happier and hopeful.
If you’re really short on time, you can easily find many beautiful short videos on YouTube that can turn your mindset and mood upside down.
Here’s one… by Casey Neistat :
1) Time pressure— you have to do many things in limited time
2) Self-imposed— this can be broadly classified into 2 sections:
- Wanting to do everything “perfectly”
- Worrying over NOTHING
3. External Events— like someone else’s problems
In which category do you put your case in?
Regardless. This feeling isn’t pretty. It’s a type of anxiety that can really take a toll on your emotional and physical health.
It would make you feel tired, sad, and in a complete mess with no sense of direction in life.
So, you need to proactively fix the problem. Thankfully, it isn’t really “very difficult”.
Also Read: Make 2018 Better with 21 Self Development Goals
How to avoid feeling overwhelmed?
Here are 10 exercises cum miraculous tips that will help you get your life back on track if you’re feeling overwhelmed all the time:1) Accept the chaos
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| Accept All The Chaos - Feeling Overwhelmed all the time |
Unless you accept that there exists a problem, you will never be able to find any solution.
So if you’re feeling extremely overwhelmed, accept that you’re in a deep mess. Don’t try to fight it off by doing what you believe needs to be done. Instead, treat this feeling as a problem.
Once you do this, you will be more perceptive to the solutions. You will be much more open to treating it rather than just getting carried away in the flow and hoping that the situation would change.
2) Start writing everything down
 |
| Write everything that's in your mind - feeling overwhelmed all the time |
The feeling of overwhelm-ness is always in individual’s mind. Many times it happens due to our exaggeration and over-thinking.
In a new relationship, in a new job, with a new puppy, with a new-born, after a divorce, during the exams….
These things are not even very big yet they play our mind. We over-think. And then we start feeling overwhelmed with life.
It’s all in our mind. That is where it starts—and that is where it needs to end.
So if you want to avoid this feeling, you have got to control your mind. And to do that, you need to listen to what it is saying in the first place. How?
I personally find writing as the best way to listen and control my mind.
You see, our mind keeps on repeating the same problems we’re facing to keep us reminded all the time. It is so that we don’t forget that there are things we need to do and problems we need to face in life.
When you write down all the things the mind is repeatedly saying to you – ‘things we need to do and problems we need to face in life’ – you’re indirectly telling it to SHUT UP because you have already written it down and you don’t need to be reminded of it anymore.
I know, it might sound a little weird. But it works amazing.
I write down all the things that are in my head, all the things I need to do and all the things that I need to focus on. Once I do this, it automatically clears up my mind. And I feel much lighter.
Do it. Early morning every day (or whenever you get time) sit down with a pen and copy for at least 7 minutes and write whatever comes in your time, the things you have to do and the problems you’re facing.
It’s like a free writing or journaling. It would very much help you calm and control your mind.
3) Plan your tomorrow tonight
 |
| Plan your day ahead - feeling overwhelmed all the time |
Planning helps you know what needs to be done and when. It keeps your mind well sorted and relaxed.
You feel much more organized because you go from “I need to do so many things” to “I know what I need to do next”.
The best practice is to plan your tomorrow before you go to bed tonight. Write down the things that need to be taken care of tomorrow. I highly prefer writing in copy, but you can use any app. Also, don’t be over-ambitious. Keep the plan realistic.
4) Tune into some good music
 |
| Listen To Good Music - Feeling overwhelmed all the time |
It’s no secret that music has a healing power. It can bring harmony between mind and body, significantly reducing your emotional distress.
So if you’re feeling overwhelmed all the time, listen to some good music. It doesn’t have to be a soothing one—although it helps if it is.
Also Read: 15 Songs That Will Make You Happy Instantly
5) Watch something inspiring and uplifting
Watch a good movie or a short video that’s inspiring and uplifting. It will swing your feelings and take your mind away from all your daily, stressful chores.You have likely watched The Shawshank Redemption. If not, give it a watch right away.
Here’s a list of 18 Feel-Good Movies that will leave you much happier and hopeful.
If you’re really short on time, you can easily find many beautiful short videos on YouTube that can turn your mindset and mood upside down.
Here’s one… by Casey Neistat :
6) Watch beautiful clouds
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| Watch Beautiful Clouds - Feeling Overwhelmed all the time |
This is my personal favorite. I absolutely love watching clouds. While I don’t really do it for any particular benefit, it does have many advantages.
It calms your mind, enhances imagination, brings more clarity and focus to your thoughts, and just makes you think how small we and our problems are.
To that, it connects you with Mother Nature. The beautiful sky, floating clouds, birds flying underneath them and the breeze brushing your cheeks—MAGICAL!
So go to your terrace, garden or park. Lie on the ground and just look at clouds, sky, and birds. You will feel very free and relaxed. Do it.
7) Sleep like a baby
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| Sleep Like A Baby - Feeling overwhelmed all the time |
Yes, go to sleep. You don’t even need any reason for this. Just go to your bed and sleep till you are fully satisfied.
You would feel light-head, calmed and more focused on waking up.
Here's a nice article om health.com : 11 Health Benefit of Sleeping
Do you think all that you’re doing right now are equally important? Or all that you’re thinking – the thoughts – require just as much of your attention?
Likely not.
Cut off the weight of all the things, thoughts and even people that are less important.
Do an audit, to say, to see what requires the most of your time and attention. And then focus only on them. Because often, we think of things and do tasks that are totally secondary and, at times, irrelevant.
Also, if someone is asking too much of you, humbly deny them. At the office, don’t keep on taking new projects. At school, don’t take all the courses. At home, don’t bring unnecessary responsibilities. And in life, don’t make untimely decisions.
In short, learn to say a BIG “NO” to as many things and people are possible.
When you have so many things to do, the simplest way on how to stop feeling overwhelmed is to seek help from others.
Friend, family, partner—tell them that you need help with certain things. To babysit, to take care of your puppy, to do your assignment, to clean the house, or to just talk.
Asking for help from others is not a bad thing. And no good human would ever refuse to support you when you’re feeling down.
Overthinking is critically damaging. However, that doesn’t mean you don’t think at all.
To get a clear perspective on certain things – where you are, what’s happening around you, what are the problems you are facing, and more – you need to think about all these things.
So don’t always keep yourself busy in doing something. Get away from the crowd.
Take some time off, go to a separate room (or on a walk in the park) and think alone.
You would easily be able to sort your priorities and understand realities. And believe it or not, at the end of the day, this alone-time would make all the difference in the world for you.
However, it is VERY CRUCIAL that at times like these you STOP, TAKE A BREAK, BREATHE, and DO SOMETHING ELSE that isn’t on your priority list.
The motive behind this is to distance yourself from your busy and overwhelming thoughts and ‘to-do’ list.
Of course, this is going to be difficult. And that’s going to be the most challenging task for you— distancing yourself from what you believe is important at the moment.
I need to complete my assignment now and then take care of my puppy. I can’t sleep now…. I need to do so many things for my new girlfriend/boyfriend and then also do my office work. I can’t watch clouds now…. I have to over-think about the small things and other people’s problems, then I have to meet my relatives. I can’t watch a good movie now….
From lifting yourself from an overwhelmed mindset to a much serene and relaxing state—doing this is going to be a challenge.
But with a little will and above mentioned 10 small exercises, you can stop feeling overwhelmed, regardless the reasons why you’re in this state in the first place.
Remember, it’s hard to see things when you’re too close. Take a step back and look.
8) Say “NO” to less-important things
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| Learn to say NO - Feeling Overwhelmed all the time |
Likely not.
Cut off the weight of all the things, thoughts and even people that are less important.
Do an audit, to say, to see what requires the most of your time and attention. And then focus only on them. Because often, we think of things and do tasks that are totally secondary and, at times, irrelevant.
Also, if someone is asking too much of you, humbly deny them. At the office, don’t keep on taking new projects. At school, don’t take all the courses. At home, don’t bring unnecessary responsibilities. And in life, don’t make untimely decisions.
In short, learn to say a BIG “NO” to as many things and people are possible.
9) It is okay to ask for help
 |
| Ask for help - feeling overwhelmed all the time |
Friend, family, partner—tell them that you need help with certain things. To babysit, to take care of your puppy, to do your assignment, to clean the house, or to just talk.
Asking for help from others is not a bad thing. And no good human would ever refuse to support you when you’re feeling down.
10) Make time to think alone
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| Make time to Think Alone - Feeling overwhelmed all the time |
To get a clear perspective on certain things – where you are, what’s happening around you, what are the problems you are facing, and more – you need to think about all these things.
So don’t always keep yourself busy in doing something. Get away from the crowd.
Take some time off, go to a separate room (or on a walk in the park) and think alone.
You would easily be able to sort your priorities and understand realities. And believe it or not, at the end of the day, this alone-time would make all the difference in the world for you.
Spend some time alone every day – Dalai Lama
CONCLUSION
It is the easiest to keep yourself busy when you have so many – important and unnecessary – things to do, eventually feeling overwhelmed.However, it is VERY CRUCIAL that at times like these you STOP, TAKE A BREAK, BREATHE, and DO SOMETHING ELSE that isn’t on your priority list.
The motive behind this is to distance yourself from your busy and overwhelming thoughts and ‘to-do’ list.
Of course, this is going to be difficult. And that’s going to be the most challenging task for you— distancing yourself from what you believe is important at the moment.
I need to complete my assignment now and then take care of my puppy. I can’t sleep now…. I need to do so many things for my new girlfriend/boyfriend and then also do my office work. I can’t watch clouds now…. I have to over-think about the small things and other people’s problems, then I have to meet my relatives. I can’t watch a good movie now….
From lifting yourself from an overwhelmed mindset to a much serene and relaxing state—doing this is going to be a challenge.
But with a little will and above mentioned 10 small exercises, you can stop feeling overwhelmed, regardless the reasons why you’re in this state in the first place.
Remember, it’s hard to see things when you’re too close. Take a step back and look.
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| Take a step back - feeling overwhelmed all the time |
Good luck!
For more self-help, inspiring, how to be happy and uplifting stuff, follow Mr. Jubilant on Twitter :)
(Also, if you found this piece helpful, do share it please!)
