Are you frozen in overwhelm? Don’t know where to start or what to even do? Read on for four tips on how to overcome overwhelm.
1. Journal for 5 Minutes
The first tip is pretty simple. Take 5 to 10 minutes and write down a list of everything you need or want to get done. Then write about how you feel about the to do list. Don’t worry about grammar, spelling, or what you should write. Just start with a question prompt like: How do I feel about my to do list. Then just answer it. There is no correct or wrong answer here.
I know it seems counter intuitive to take more time when you have more to do than you have time for. But I promis this 5 to 10 minutes will save you lots of time in debating with yourself later. It actually helps you get more done.
2. Put Tasks on Your Calendar
Know that you have a complete list of what needs to get done, lets review it. What needs done today or in the future? Write them in on your calendar accordingly.
Putting them on the calendar lets your brain set them aside. You know they will get done. Now all that energy you used to use keeping things in your mind can be used to actually complete the tasks. With less on your mind, you decrease the overwhelm as well.
3. Schedule Time to be Overwhelmed
Sometimes our brains just want to be overwhelmed. Sometimes I will set a date with myself to be overwhelmed. Maybe Tuesday mornings from 7-7:30 AM I will be overwhelmed with all the things. In the meantime, any time overwhelm comes up I remind myself that we will deal with that overwhelm on Tuesday at 7 AM.
I am essentially training my brain that overwhelm isn’t important right now because we will handle it at a certain time. Put that time on your calendar and honor that commitment to yourself.
4. Just be Overwhelmed
Overwhelm is just an emotion. An emotion is a vibration in our body. You can feel it inside yourself. It isn’t dangerous. The body knows how to handle it as long as you don’t resist it. If we resist the overwhelm then it builds up in our bodies becoming stronger. So the best thing to do is just allow the emotion.
To allow the emotion ask and answer questions like: How would I explain how overwhelm feels to an alien? Where do I feel it in my body? Does it stay in one spot or move around? If it had a color what color would it be? What is the texture of overwhelm? If I take deep breaths does that change how overwhelm feels in my body?Just be present with it. Get to know it like a friend.
Sometimes we need help overcoming overwhelm in our lives. If this is you, hop on a Free Discovery Call and I’d love to help you out.
Until Next Time
-Keira
