Feeling Overwhelmed?

Many times, we have so much going on in our lives that we start to feel weighed down and don't know how we'll catch up.  Do you feel that way?  Most of us do at some point.  Some people seem to have a knack for dealing with the pressure; others struggle.

What do you get overwhelmed by?  Too much housework?  Behind on paperwork at your job?  Bills behind?  Here, I've outlined some general suggestions for managing your negative feelings while getting things done.

• Get started!  That is the first step that will make any of these other suggestions work.  The stuff that is piled up is not going to get done by stressing, worrying, or hiding under the covers.  
• Break large tasks into smaller ones.  For instance, if you have a lot of housework to do, break the tasks up.  Clean for 10 or 15 minute spurts, then rest for a few minutes, clean again.  I tell people: if you only wash one dish every hour, if a little while, you'll get them all done.
• Stay away from multitasking - if you are focused on too many things at one time, you will start to feel overwhelmed more easily.  
• Get some help.  This is perhaps the most difficult for people to accept.  The reality is that we all need help from time to time.  Someone else may have better skills in a particular area - get their help with it (and don't forget to say thank you!)
• Prioritize.  That big stack of paperwork on your desk probably doesn't all need to be done at one time.  Sort through things and make a list of the most important and do those first.
• Work at the time of day that you feel your best.  If you are a morning person and generally feel your best at that time, get up and get started on these things.  Or maybe you prefer the evening time (just don't vacuum when everyone else is asleep!)
• Rest when you need to.  No matter what you're doing, you are going to get tired at some point.  Take a rest every now and then, a few minutes at a time, then get back to work.

The important thing to remember is that as long as you are working toward getting that task done, the task will get done eventually.  Once you have it done, put your focus on keeping it caught up.

How do you deal with feeling overwhelmed?

Practicing Self Care

As we go through our day, we may see, hear, and/or do things that take a toll on us both physically and mentally.  Most of us need to be at our best each day in order to do our work, take care of those around us, and whatever else comes our way.  In order to be our best, we have to recharge our batteries; that is taking care of ourselves.


So just how exactly do we take care of ourselves?  Start by asking yourself some questions.

1. Do you enjoy going to work?
2. Do you feel you can handle your work load?
3. Do you have some free time during your day?
4. How are your personal relationships?
5. How tired are you when you come home?
6. Do you enjoy being around your friends/family?

How did you answer these?  Positively?  Negatively?  Was it difficult to answer them?  If the answers you gave aren't desirable, chances are you are not taking care of your own needs as well as you should.  If you take care of others in your life (children, spouse, patients, parents, etc) you already know how to use care skills.  You just need to use them on yourself!

We need to first of all recognize that we need to care for ourselves.  Then use some of those skills we already know: eat well, exercise, get plenty of rest.  But let's consider possibilities outside of those "traditional" suggestions.  A few weeks ago, I found myself overworked, overwhelmed, and just plain tired.  I finally realized I wasn't the only one suffering from it...my family was taking it too.  So, I made myself get up off the couch, got my children up, and we went to a nearby park to play in the water.  And I played too.  I can't tell you how much fun that was - no email, no phone, just the laughter of my children and knowing that it was time well spent.  

We need to take time to enjoy our days.  Go to lunch with co-workers (that means do not sit in front of your desk, eating while you work); take a mini vacation.  A favorite therapy technique as well as my own personal coping skill is humor.  I incorporate humor into my office, my computer, my phone, anywhere I can.  I have comics posted on my wall, quirky sayings tacked up, anything to remind me that life is too short not to laugh. 

How about you?  What are some of your favored techniques/skills for taking care of yourself?