Have you ever felt that everything is just getting too much for you to handle? You feel like you have too many balls in the air and you know they are going to come crashing down on you and you just don’t know how to prevent it.
In a world where everything has to be done today as if there is no tomorrow, you can easily become so tangled up that you just feel like quitting and hiding under the table. But, you know you can’t, so you just struggle along way past your breaking point.
Does this sound familiar? Then I have some good advice for you. Bear in mind that there is not a quick fix for an over-busy life, but there are some things you can do to ease the load.
If you are feeling overwhelmed and you just don’t know where to start or what to do to get through this day, here is what you must do.
If you are struggling with work:
- Take a few deep breaths. Tell yourself it is just a feeling and you are in control of your feelings.
- Stand up and get yourself something to drink – coffee, tea or ice water. Drink it slowly. Saviour the moment of just relaxing. Think of something pleasant.
- After you have calmed down, make a list of everything that you must do, then mark the things that must be done today.
- Put the most urgent things first and then start doing it.
- Make sure to mark the things off that are done on your list.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for assistance if you are struggling with something. Nobody’s perfect.
If you are feeling overwhelmed with life in general:
Sometimes life can just get you down. You are stressed out and depressed and feel like you just can’t handle anything anymore.
- If you are depressed, overly anxious or stressed, please get professional help. Make an appointment to go and see your doctor and if he/she should subscribe your medicine, drink it regularly. It takes time for these meds to really have an effect, so listen to your doctor and have patience.
- While you might feel like just staying in bed and giving up on the world, don’t quit on life or yourself. Follow the 5-things-rule. From the moment you wake up, give yourself 5 things to do. It can be simple things like: 1. Going to the bathroom. 2. Brushing my teeth. 3. Getting dressed 4. Brushing hair 5. Making the bed. After you have done the 5 things, think of the next 5 things to be done. Keep it at 5 at a time. A friend of mine struggled with depression and when it was at its worst she wrote the 5 things down every time and ticked it off as she did it. It gave her a sense of accomplishment.
- Don’t try to battle it out alone. Talk to a friend or family member you can trust or find an online support group. Talking about our feelings and emotions are the first step in the process of learning how to manage them.
- Make sure to get some fresh air every day. Even if you only go out into your backyard.
- Try to eat three healthy meals every day, even if you don’t feel like it.
- Write down one good memory, one thing you are thankful for and one thing that is good about today, every day.
- Keep your faith. Make time to pray.
- Make sure to take regular breaks throughout the day, where you focus on deep breathing.
Don’t be too hard on yourself. Allow yourself to make mistakes. Remember, life is not fair, neither is it perfect, don’t expect it to be. Take each day as a challenge. See it as an adventure and try to find something to smile about every day. It’s is the small victories in life that makes it worth living.
