4 Simple Ways To Overcome Overwhelm

It’s Tuesday evening, dinner is on, the kids are fighting, work needs to be completed, SR’s calling and next thing I know, the smoke alarm is going off. I run in the kitchen, and yep, you guessed it, the chicken — the main dish, dinner — was burned, again. I’m a great cook, in fact I LOVE to cook, but truth be told my cooking skills is not the problem, being overwhelmed is.

As women, as mamas, we have a to-do list a mile long and we feel like we have to check off every single item or we’ve failed. We’re so consumed with trying to be perfect and do all the things and be all the places that we end up burned out and overwhelmed. You are not alone, sister. Especially in today’s world, where it’s rare that we take breaks and even more rare that we take a break to take care of ourselves.

But that doesn’t have to be your truth. There are some simple actions that you can take to help you overcome overwhelm and get back to living again.

Take A Self-Care Day

With everything going on with work, the kids, doctor’s appointments, practices, date night, maintaining the house, balancing the budget, etc, etc — tired yet?

When you’re always busy, and your plate is always full, you forget to take care of you. But you can’t pour from an empty cup. You have to find the time to recharge yourself mentally, spiritually, emotionally and physically. Self-care is the best thing you can ever do for yourself — and your family.

Self-care doesn’t have to be expensive or cost anything at all. Self-care for everyone looks different. For you, it could mean taking a bubble bath and just soaking in essential oils, going for a nature walk, snuggling up with a good book, talking to a therapist or having a glass of wine or a Jack and Coke and doing absolutely nothing.

If you need some ideas on how to create a self-care plan, I’ve got you. Just head over to this post, Why You Need A Self-Care Plan and How To Create One.

Prioritize, Just Say No

We are all natural people pleasers. I can hear you saying right now that you’re not, but girl you are. When someone asks you to commit to something, do you hesitate or do you immediately say yes? Yep, like I thought, you’re a people pleaser. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not necessarily a bad trait to have, however when you over-commit, you become overwhelmed.

I’m not saying you have to say no to every request, but learn to prioritize and organize your schedule. Create a schedule and stick to it! If what they’re asking interferes with something you’ve already got schedule, then say ‘no’. Reclaim your time.

If saying ‘yes’ causes you to have anxiety or prevent you from being able to fulfill other things that you have committed to or that are important to you, then say ‘no’! I love to plan with a good ‘ole fashion pen and paper using my Erin Condren Deluxe Monthly Planner and Powersheets.

Take some time to write out your commitments. More than likely, what you find out after you’ve gotten everything written down that you don’t have as much time as you think you do. Which makes it easier to say ‘no’ to things that will put your schedule in the choke-hold. Prioritize your commitments and focus on the highest priority tasks first.

I share some tips over on 4 Steps To Plan And Organize Your Life To Get Things Done.

Sweat Good and Sleep Good

Exercise boosts your mood. Ever heard the term “runner’s high”? Exercise makes you feel damn good! Regular exercise has been shown to positively affect your mood and reduce stress.

If you’re feeling burned out or overwhelmed, exercise can help. Just move your body for 30 minutes a day. Do something that’s fun and enjoyable to you. Intensity doesn’t matter. The moves don’t matter. Just move your body and let those feel good endorphins work their magic.

What I’ve also found is that when you get in a good workout, I rest extremely well. You know what else happens when you get a good night’s sleep? You wake up rested, recharged, rejuvenated and ready to take on another day. Getting at least 8 hours of sleep per night is crucial in helping your body heal from being burned out and overwhelmed.

Get Up, Dress Up, Feel Pretty

For some this would fall under self-care, but for me this is something entirely different in itself. When you look good, you feel good. I know you may be tired and want to sit around the house all day in sweats (or yoga pants) with your hair up in a bun (or your bonnet on) and just rest. I’ve been there, I still have those days.

But what I’ve noticed is that when I actually get up, put on a cute outfit, do my makeup and my hair, I feel so much better. It’s almost like a new life type feeling. Just stand in the mirror and admire the woman you are, acknowledge the struggles you’ve been through and overcome, admire your strength, and relish in your beauty. Allow all of that love, fierceness, badassery that you feel on the inside to be reflected on the outside.

Sexiness is contagious, doll. Be your own muse. You may be overwhelmed at this moment, but this too shall pass.

Remember that overwhelm is a state mind. You capable of great things, like overcoming your overwhelm. What struggles do you face and what do you do to help overcome those feelings? Let me know in the comments below. I would love to hear from you!