How to Break the Cycle of Overwhelm
I took a short break from writing to focus on a few other projects. Moreover, graduate school has started back up for me and because of that I've also taken on a few new coaching clients. Not to mention I have some product launches that I am working on for the spring. Oh! And lets not forget about my family and personal life! With all these things going on, its easy for me to get to a place of overwhelm! And although I have gotten much better at creating margin in my calendar to give me a little breathing room between projects and such; I'm not afraid to say that I still get to a place in which I feel like I'm running on fumes. When I get to that point I have to take a few steps back and regroup.
Here are 5 tips that I use to get back on track when I feel overwhelmed:
Take a deep breath and be honest with yourself.
Recognize when the load you are trying to carry is unsustainable. Begin to prioritize and find out what can be put off to gain energy for the must do’s on your list.
Lower your expectations.
Now notice I didn't say lower your standards. I said lower the expectations that you are placing on yourself. Remember: trying to make something perfect places undue stress on you. It will never be perfect. Just take the next step that feels right to get the task completed.
Move!
That’s right - move your body! Exercise is a great stress reliever. Go take a walk or get on the treadmill. Whenever the weather permits, I prefer to walk or jog outside. This allows me to get fresh air and enjoy God's beautiful master piece! P.S - Don't forget to stay hydrated!
Practice saying NO!
Overwhelm often begins with over committing! You can't be all things for all people and last time I checked you could only be one place at a time. I'll be the first to say that telling others no is tough. But I think being exhausted from overwhelm is tougher! If you are going to have the necessary time and energy to focus on priorities and purpose in your life, you will have to say no to excessive demands for your time.
Rest.
I still haven’t figured out why this is the toughest thing for most people to grab on to. If something doesn't get done - it’s ok! Even if it was important, there will be times when we fall short. You shouldn't beat yourself up about it. And you certainly don’t want to punish yourself by depriving yourself of sleep to try and get everything done. When you are well rested, you are more productive. You can focus when you have had a good night sleep.
If you want to be the most productive version of yourself, you can’t operate on empty! Allow yourself ample time to rest and most of all - have some fun! Remember: You can enjoy life and still get things done!