Feeling Overwhelmed? Do these 16 Things To Feel Better - Life's Little Pleasures and Struggles

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Let’s get real: there are times in life when we all feel overwhelmed. Overwhelm can be caused by many situations. It happens when a stressful situation gets to be just too much for us to handle – whether it’s a trauma, difficult personal issues, social obligations, work related stress, or a daunting to-do list. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, you’re not alone. The recent events along with the COVID-19 pandemic have made things even more complicated for almost all of us, and it can be difficult to juggle all of our responsibilities at the same time – without experiencing some sort of stress and overwhelm.

When you’re feeling overwhelmed, it can disrupt your daily normal activities and thought-process until you’re capable of processing your emotions at a normal level again. The trick is to find a way to reset quickly, so you can feel better and get back to what you need to do. Here are 16 proven ways to make that happen.

1. Define your priorities

When your circumstances begin to overpower and overwhelm you, it’s time to take a peaceful break. Taking even a short break prevents you from being completely overcome by life’s circumstances or other negative people in your life. Understanding that your time and energy are valuable and not limitless helps you greatly in choosing how to use that time and energy that will make your life better.

When you feel you have too much to do and you’re getting a little stressed out, start by identifying what matters most to you. Many people who consciously think about it, choose to prioritize their family and physical and mental well-being. The problem is that very few people consciously set their priorities which can lead to feelings of failure, frustration, and overwhelm.

2. Move your body

Moving and shaking your body can be a great stress reliever because it helps you blow off steam and releases endorphins. Even if you have just 5 or 10 minutes a day, use that time to exercise. Every little bit of your body movement counts. If you have more time, go for a walk outside and enjoy the nature as well. That’s even better.

Going for an evening walk outside is a great way to disconnect from everything that happened during the day. When you’re in motion, it boosts your mood, sharpens your thinking, and makes you feel calmer and more relaxed. Time outdoors may also reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol, says clinical exercise physiologist Paul Innerd, Ph.D., of the University of Sunderland in the U.K.

3. Talk to a loved one

Talking to a loved one you care about and who cares about you is a great way to feel better when you’re feeling overwhelmed. Having a good conversation and sharing your concerns and a few laughter with them will make you feel lighter, happier, and calmer when things are rough. Sometimes you just need to talk with someone who cares about you and who is completely unrelated to whatever momentary stress you’re currently dealing with.

It also helps to relieve stress when you’re able to talk it out. Having someone who will just listen to you without any judgment is such a blessing! Just by talking things through, you can feel so much better, lighter, and relaxed.

4. Write things down

Sometimes things become more manageable and less stressful just by writing them down. You would be surprised to know that writing is a great way to destress and unwind. If you maintain a diary or journal, then write in it when you’re feeling overwhelmed. Venting out your thoughts and concerns can help you relieve your tensions and relax.

5. Break down your tasks

When you’re feeling overwhelmed or under pressure, break down your tasks into small, actionable steps. That will make things easier for you to accomplish. Seeing a huge task can feel very overwhelming at times, and will usually result in you not doing or completing the task. Overwhelm sets in without a clear, specific action plan.

When you accomplish little things – one step at a time, that makes the big accomplishments possible by giving you more drive and motivation. Every time you take an action, it takes you one step closer to your goal. Each small success you achieve helps you build a winning mindset.

6. Stop multi-tasking

Do one thing at a time and enjoy what you’re doing. That way you won’t have to deal with the pressure of doing several things at once, and you can accomplish more things in a productive manner.

Doing two or more things at a time can be overwhelming and very stressful. Multi-tasking doesn’t always increase your productivity either. While you focus on more than one task at a time, you usually accomplish less and feel more stressed in the process.

7. Delegate tasks or ask for help

Do you have to do it all yourself? If the answer is no, then don’t. Share the load. And don’t forget, you don’t have to be the boss to delegate. You can often simply ask family members, colleagues, and friends for help.

There is nothing wrong with asking for help when you need that. It’s not a sign of weakness. Rather, it’s a sign of your maturity. Instead of trying to do something all by yourself when you can’t do it right, seek help and learn from others.

We can’t always do things on our own, and it’s okay to ask for help. If you have trouble, reach out to someone and ask for their assistance. It will reduce your stress and frustration. Also, you can accomplish more, learn new things, and feel happier.

8. Do some decluttering

Clearing your living and working spaces has a profound calming effect. Take a few minutes to straighten up something that’s bothering you, and you might see things in a whole new light.

According to a study featured in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, clutter can actually have negative effects on our mental health, with women who describe their homes as “cluttered,” or “unfinished,” generally having higher rates of stress and depression than women who described their living spaces as “restful,” and “restorative.” So if you’re feeling overwhelmed, do a quick cleaning and de-cluttering session. You’ll be able to breath a little easier.

9. Pray or meditate

For those of you who believe in the power of prayer, you know that it can instantly calm your spirit and make you feel better. For me, one of the the best ways to deal with any type of anxiety is through prayer. When I bring my concerns to my Lord and seek His help, I feel relieved and calm.

You can also try meditation. Meditation is a tried and tested way to relax. When you’re focused on the here-and-now, you won’t be able to contemplate about something that already happened and you can’t also worry about something in the future. When you first start meditating, your mind may wander around and not be still. However, slowly but surely you’ll gain some control over your mind and, you’ll soon experience calm and peace.

10. Be mindfully thankful

Thinking about your blessings can instantly boost your mood and make you feel better. When things get harder or you start to feel the pressure of life, having an attitude of gratitude can shift your mindset and help you focus on all the good things in your life.

If you practice gratitude, especially at the end of a day or when you’re feeling overwhelmed, it’ll increase your happiness, and you’ll end your day with a good, positive feeling.

Research has shown that positive self-affirmation through reminding ourselves of our values and what’s really important in our lives (such as friends and family, good health, safety etc.) can improve problem-solving in stressed individuals. It facilitates more open and creative thinking.

11. Drink plenty of water

When you’re stressed out or feeling overwhelmed, your body gets dehydrated and that affects your mood because dehydration can make you feel tired and dizzy.

So, drink lots of water to keep yourself hydrated. Studies have shown increasing your water intake improves your mood.

12. Make a to-do list

Maybe you’re feeling overwhelmed because your mind is bogged down by the sheer act of trying to remember everything or all the details. When you write down what you need to do, you release this mental burden. As an added bonus, you’ll feel accomplished as you cross off tasks one by one upon completion.

Also, before you make a to-do list, ask yourself – “Is that a priority for me right now?” or “Do I need to do this today?”. Sometimes you do things because you assume they are essential, but if you give it some thought you can find ways to move on without them. That way, you can avoid overwhelm and disappointment.

And if you already have a to-do list but still feeling overwhelmed, reassess your list. If you’re trying to squeeze 20 hours worth of work into 12 hours, you’re naturally going to feel stressed. Reducing your workload could be key to helping you get through the day feeling better.

13. Learn to say ‘no’

If you have too much to do, learn to say ‘no’. Saying ‘no’ is not mean or selfish. It’s simply an acknowledgment that you have limited time and energy. Focus on tasks and projects that are designed for your capabilities. Don’t waste time on things outside of your areas of expertise. Unless, of course, you’re cultivating a new skill or hobby. Then, it’s perfectly okay to try new things. But when you want to get the most done in the least amount of time, say ‘no’ to anything others could do better.

Get super protective about your precious time and energy, and say ‘no’ to everything but the essential requests – without feeling guilty. If you cannot say ‘no’, other people’s priorities will quietly sneak into your days and become your priorities – leaving you overwhelmed and unhappy.

14. Take an emotional time out

When you’re feeling overwhelmed, read an engrossing book that has nothing to do with your work, or watch an interesting movie to divert your mind from the things that are causing you stress. Getting lost in a good book is an amazing way to disconnect from the world and all your problems for a while. It helps you forget about all your stress and work pressure, and diverts your mind from all the complications of life.

The point is to take an hour or two away from your problems and calm your mind. By doing so you’ll remember that there is a vast world out there and so many important and beautiful things to think about. It may also help you put yourself into a different perspective that will cause you less stress. .

15. Take a nap

Have you ever tried taking power naps? It surely works wonders – especially when you’re feeling overwhelmed, stressed out, or tired. Nap for about 15 to 20 minutes when you get back home. You’ll wake up refreshed and rejuvenated.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, stop doing what you’re doing and allow yourself to take a nap in a quiet place. It’ll relax your mind and reduce the physical and mental exhaustion that you have to deal with – all day long. You’ll gain more clarity, and your body and mind will thank you for the rest.

16. Be gentle and kind to yourself

When you’re feeling overwhelmed, do things that feel good to you; things that are positive, comforting, healthy, and uplifting. This is the time when you need to be emphasizing self-care. This will help to calm your nervous system, lessen your stress and anxiety and so much of your struggles, and help you handle things from a clearer place.

Treat yourself the way you would treat a friend or someone else you cared about. Forgive yourself when you are not perfect. You owe yourself the love that you so freely and willingly give to others. You deserve the same level of love, care, and respect from yourself.