Mental Health Moments: Combating Overwhelm
⌛ By Kaylin R. Staten ⌛
In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, managing overwhelm can feel like the most daunting task in the known world.
Trust me when I say this: I know what it’s like to feel overwhelmed. There are times in which I manage it like a pro, knocking down negative thoughts as they arise while plugging away at my growing to-do list. Other times, I feel as though I want to crawl into the fetal position underneath the covers and sleep away the problems. I can’t eradicate the negative thought processes growing exponentially in my brain.
Realizing you’re overwhelmed and then doing something about it can be one of the most challenging things for a perfectionist to do. After all, we want to be able to control situations and rise out of the ashes of stress like the phoenix we always wish we can be. However, that isn’t always possible, and there are times when we need some extra help to manage stress.
What does it feel and look like to be overwhelmed? It manifests itself into different forms depending on the person, but here are some basic signs:
You feel anxious in general.
You are overly irritable, especially about things that don’t usually bother you.
You could find it hard to breathe, and a panic/anxiety attack could occur as a result.
You feel like everything is a heavy burden that only you can bear.
You’re always under pressure and feel stressed and tense most of the time.
You don’t feel like you can relax unless you are alone.
You don’t find anything fun in your life.
(Source: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/how-to-let-go-of-overwhel_b_6343406)
After all, you want to feel like Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande in “Rain On Me,” right?
Here are three ways I tackle overwhelm:
Ask yourself why you are overwhelmed.
A lot of the time, we avoid this question, mostly because we don’t want to know the answer. We want to find a solution, but we don’t want to have to muddle through uncomfortable thoughts and feelings to get there. But it’s vital that you ask yourself this question: Why am I feeling overwhelmed? You will get the clarity you seek once you ask this question. You can brain dump your answers, talk about it in therapy, or think about it while you meditate. The importance is the action. My triggers are usually chronic stressful situations, such as work stress or things from my personal life. I feel better when I hone in on what is making me anxious or overwhelmed, and writing is my number one form of therapy. If I don’t write for whatever reason, though, how do you think I feel? Even more overwhelmed than before!
Do something about it.
As I stated above, taking action will lead to less stress and overwhelm. If you find a solution, don’t just allow it to sit there. Take steps that will lead you to make a positive change. For example, if you are stressed out because you have “too much” work, then assess your work schedule. Do you have too many meetings and not enough time to get the actual work done? In that case, you may want to make some schedule adjustments. Are people calling and texting you constantly throughout the work day wanting to hang out when you are trying to build your company? Take a look at how you create and maintain boundaries with those close to you. If you are unsure what to do, try to think of ways that would bring you long-lasting relief.
Simplify your life and know exactly what you want.
The COVID-19 pandemic really allowed me to ruminate about what is important to me Hourglass Media-wise and on a personal level. While most of us were in quarantine, my brain was working in overdrive as I worked through a reassessment of my goals and objectives. I have always been a master planner, and a worldwide pandemic came along and thwarted plans I didn’t even know I had. I’m sure many of us felt that way in various stages, and it really put things in perspective. I realized my blessings and what really mattered to me. I was so busy trying to remain “busy” before the pandemic that I missed out on several key moments in my daily life. I have been able to simplify more, from spending less money on frivolous purchases to cutting out work clutter that doesn’t apply to Hourglass Media’s mission and vision. That will naturally lessen overwhelm and allow you to apply yourself to what really matters to you. Of course, overwhelm will still overtake you from time to time, but you will focus less on what others want or even what you once wanted. We evolve, and we have to perform an audit with ourselves to see what fits and what doesn’t.
This post is dedicated to my husband, who is my absolute guiding light during times of overwhelm. He is absolutely wonderful.
Please note: These blog posts are not clinical, although we will provide symptoms and other information. These posts are based on my experiences with anxiety and mental health in general. If you or someone you know needs help, visit a website like Mental Health America to learn more.
Mental Health Moments blog posts are every other Tuesday of the month. Our CEO and contributors highlight what it's like to live with a mental health disorder and continue to fight the stigma through storytelling.
Kaylin R. Staten, APR, is an award-winning, accredited public relations practitioner and writer based in Huntington, WV with 18 years of professional communications experience. As CEO and founder of Hourglass Media, she uses her compassionate spirit and expertise to delve into the heart of clients’ stories. She is a recovering perfectionist, mental health advocate, wife, Luke’s mom, cat mom, and Leia Organa aficionado. Connect with Kaylin on LinkedIn.