“Life has many ways of testing a person’s will, either by having nothing happen at all or by having everything happen at once.” ~ Anonymous
Ladies, how often do you feel overwhelmed? For some of us, it is a constant reminder that our day to day activities are drifting off track. A burden that sits on our shoulders and reminds us of the things we have left to accomplish. It can manifest itself mentally, physically, emotionally, and even spiritually. It affects both our personal and professional lives and sends us spiraling into a chaotic state that we don’t understand. Well, what if I told you there are ways to keep you from feeling overwhelmed? That there are changes you can make in your life today that will reduce the stress that causes you to feel overwhelmed. Because, the truth of the matter is, the problem begins with us. Many of us bring it on ourselves.
Physical Symptoms
Your body can recognize the signs well before you are ready to admit it. You may experience chest pains and a rapid heartbeat, have trouble breathing, or even an increase in headaches. And those are just the physical symptoms. Often times, we ignore these signs or excuse them away as something else. As someone who has experienced my share of panic (or anxiety) attacks, I can tell you first hand about the dangers of ignoring your body.
Mental and Emotional Symptoms
The physical symptoms of feeling overwhelmed are terrifying. However, the mental and emotional symptoms are subtle but equally dangerous. We experience self-doubt, high levels of stress, tension, a lack of energy and ambition, and a sense of fear. Rarely do we talk about these things. As we all know, women are the best at turning the other cheek and pushing through the pain. However, if you know the signs, and change your habits, you will see a remarkable difference in your life.
“Take life day by day and be grateful for the little things. Don’t get stressed over what you can’t control.” ~ Anonymous
So how do you overcome the feeling of being overwhelmed? How do you release yourself from the burden of having to accomplish so much in a short period of time? Well, unfortunately, there is no one answer that works for everyone. You have to do the work and identify the cause of your stress and anxiety. The high levels of stress you are suffering from is what fuels the feeling of being overwhelmed. Lowering your stress level is going to require some changes in your life. So take a step back and evaluate your thoughts and habits. Stop doing what you’ve always done simply because it is familiar. It’s time to change things up!
Stop Multi-Tasking
For years we have been told that if we want to accomplish more things in a given day, we need to multi-task. Well, I call bullshit to that theory! Multi-tasking deceives you into thinking you have completed the tasks of the day with ease. However, I have often had to re-do things because I noticed a problem after the initial work was done. While combining non-brainer tasks together makes sense, it does not work for every project. Anything that requires complete concentration should be tackled by itself. In the end, you would have wasted time that could have been spent completing one task perfectly.
The best way to get through your to-do list is to prioritize your tasks. If you have five things you want to accomplish, put them in order by importance. You can decide to do the tasks that will take the longest first. Or maybe you want to knock out the easiest tasks on the list before jumping into the harder ones. If one task requires something is done before it, make that the last task on your list. After you have prioritized your tasks, focus on one item at a time. This will allow you to concentrate and get it right the first time.
Set Achievable Tasks and Goals
What moron said that everything had to be completed in one day? Trying to cram everything into a short period of time leads to you feeling overwhelmed. Set achievable tasks and goals that you can spread out over time. For example, if you have a project due on Friday, create small daily tasks throughout the week. Give yourself time to breathe and step away from the project. Also, be sure to choose a time and place where you will not be distracted. Avoid taking an important call during football practice, and save grading those papers until after dinner. Make smart choices about your time so you are not rushed.
One life-changing moment for me came when I realized it was okay to not complete a task. The world didn’t come to an end, and the ground did not shake. Life happens to all of us, usually when we least expect it. Failing to complete a task on time is not a failure. Know that it is okay to make adjustments.
Establish Clear Boundaries
In my blog post, “My Sista, You Need to Set Some Boundaries”, I identified the reasons for creating boundaries in your relationships. Well, establishing clear boundaries is beneficial in every part of your life. As a self-admitted yes woman, I know the frustrations involved with say yes to everyone. I also recognize that I do it myself because there is honestly no one else to blame. Saying yes to everyone and everything that is sent your way adds stress to your life. The more stress, the more you are going to feel overwhelmed. Part of the reason that you are constantly saying yes to people is the fear of disappointing others. However, you must recognize what you are doing to yourself. By saying yes, you move the things that are important to you to the backburner.
Ladies, it is time to fall in love with the word “no”. Let it be known that you have other commitments. Be firm and unapologetic about it. You can say it in a way that doesn’t come off rude, but you have to get your point across.
Bonus Habit | Focus on Your Values
Another habit changer that I have found helpful is to focus on what is important to me. When you spend the time to focus on your values, you naturally set up boundaries to protect them. Furthermore, many women tend to become overwhelmed when they focus on things they rather not be doing. Set aside a moment every day to think about your tasks, and determine if they bring clarity or confusion to your values.
“When life gets hectic and you feel overwhelmed, take a moment to focus on the people and things you are most grateful for. When you have an attitude of gratitude, frustrating troubles will fall by the wayside.” ~ Dana Arcuri
Related Article(s):
Why Comparing Yourself To Others Is Self-Sabotage
This is so timely! I’ve been working on single-tasking and making lists as some ways to reduce my stress and feeling overwhelmed. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Kristin! Thanks for your comments. I’m so glad that you’ve found the blog post helpful. 🙂