Defeat that overwhelmed feeling in 5 steps

Jim_SamsonHere’s something I’m sure you can relate too – all of a sudden and at once, everything starts piling up. Bills are due, work has put too much on your plate, you’re supposed to be preparing for some event, and more…

In short, you feel completely overwhelmed.

Trust me, you’re not alone. We’ve all felt overwhelmed at one time or another. That’s why I want to share with you the 5 steps to defeating that feeling and becoming comfortable, happy, and productive…

Personally, I’m vulnerable to becoming overwhelmed. I’ve always tended to bite off a bit more than I can chew at times, and that has often turned into a paralyzing state where there’s so much to do that I don’t know where to start or how to keep it all straight.

Thanks goodness I discovered the 5 steps to defeating that feeling…

Step 1 – Write it down

Just begin by writing your thoughts, feelings, etc. down on paper. If you allow those thoughts of anxiety, pressure, and fear to incubate in your head, it will eat you up and keep you from accomplishing anything.

But writing those things down can actually help to relieve your mind by taking some of the weight off…

Step 2 – List it

The next step is to prioritize what you need to get done. Start by writing down every task that need completing, and then try to put them in order of importance. This will help keep everything clear – just go back to that list when you feel like there’s too much to keep straight in your head.

Then just work your way through that list with direction and clarity.

Step 3 – Breathe

Breathing a certain way can help to calm you down. This isn’t pseudoscience, – it works.

Try box breathing: breathe in your nose for 4 counts, hold for 4 counts, exhale through the nose for 4 counts, and hold again for 4 counts. This tactic is used in many walks of life to calm the mind and heart.

Step 4 – Don’t worry about missing out

FOMO is the Fear Of Missing Out. This is something that often leads to becoming overwhelmed. You say “yes” because you’re afraid of missing out, even though you shouldn’t.

That leads to going on a weekend trip when you should be getting work done or taking some time for yourself. It leads to taking on that extra project at work because you don’t want to miss the chance to impress, even though you’re schedule is already tapped out.

Be willing to miss out in order to stay focused, comfortable, and happy.

Step 5 – Get away from yourself

Stick with me on this one. When you’re overwhelmed, you’re thinking “How am I going to do this?” and “I am so screwed” and “I don’t know what to do or where to start.”

Getting out of your own head and state of mind can be the most important thing you do. In order to do this, force yourself to smile for a few seconds, or make a silly sound, or do a handstand.

Anything that gets you out of the current state you’re in will help you to look at the situation from the outside and everything will become clearer.

With these 5 steps you can defeat the overwhelmed feeling.

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