Wow…have you
ever had one of THOSE weeks…when just about everything goes wrong or threatens to go wrong? With it comes overwhelm.
The dog runs away, there is a break up; a notice comes in the mail that you weren’t expecting…one would be enough to deal with. What happens if there is more than one crisis to deal with in a short period of time?
I wish that I had a magic wand for those situations…but I don’t…and neither does anyone else. In those moments of stress and crisis, overwhelm needs to be taken by the hand and lead down a different path. So, here are some things to do that will give you a temporary way to deal with the overwhelm in a crisis situation.
Physical Tips for Dealing with the Overwhelm
- Wall push ups
- Deep Breathing
- Up your magnesium content (bananas, chocolate, supplements)
- Have a cup of tea (l-theanine)
- Take a walk to up your endorphins (walk fast for a minute, then stroll, do it again every 5 minutes). Walking while the sun is shining is best to get more vitamin D.
Mental Strategies for Beating Overwhelm
- Make a list
- Prioritize your list. Put a number by each item, in order of importance
- Which of these items can be stricken off your list?
- What is the most important action on your list?
- Take Action. Do the most important item on your list FIRST.
- Set a timer for 15 minutes and do it…after those 15 minutes, take a break and lay down…
- Be Lazy
If the Overwhelm is Caused by an Upcoming Event
Here is a simple exercise based on NLP techniques, if you are feeling overwhelmed by an event that is in your future. Imagine…if you can…that you have travelled to that time in your future that is 15 minutes AFTER the event…that’s right…and look back…see that event over and done…completed…successfully…and see how you feel now…just let it all go…because it is done…
Does that help? You might need to do this more than once…and it will dial it down…because when you can imagine that it is over…and you have done it…you can just let it go…feel the sigh….yes…that’s right…
This is a simple technique and it will help you get rid of the overwhelm…because quite often we create overwhelm by imagining a negative outcome…don’t we?
When You are no Longer in Crisis Mode and Overwhelm
Come back and see what the cause of it was…and then…in order to prevent it from occurring again, deal with the negative beliefs…then if a situation was to arise that in the past might have caused you distress and overwhelm…it won’t have as much of an impact…will it?
Because if you use these small steps when you are knee deep in it…and then come back and deal with any underlying negative beliefs when you can…when you get to the root of that emotion…you will magically transform overwhelm into calm…and no magic wand will be necessary…
“Drive your own life…you deserve to, don’t you?” Sherie Venner
Sherie
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It’s on my list! “Prioritize your list. Put a number by each item, in order of importance. Which of these items can be stricken off your list? What is the most important action on your list? Take Action. Do the most important item on your list FIRST.” Taking time off in a few days to stand back & re-evaluate where I am and where I’m going. Woohoo! Can’t wait… 🙂
Norma Doiron recently posted..Top Reasons WHY Your Small Business Needs to BE ONLINE
Norma, would love to hear what your results are! You go, girl! : D
Sherie, these are great hands-on techniques you can put to use right away! That is so important when dealing with overwhelm and stress. Thanks!
Lisa Birnesser recently posted..Ten Practical Stress Relief Tips
Thank you, Lisa!
Excellent post Sherie ;). There are some fabulous reminders in here to help dial down the effects of overwhelm and stress. I love the stress reducing effects I experience with exercise and meditation!
Moira Hutchison recently posted..How to Visualize What You Truly Want
Those are both excellent ways to deal with stress, Moira! Thanks for your comment!
What a powerful post Sherie! Each section connected powerfully with me, and I found strategies that I can use RIGHT NOW to reduce my stress levels. As a super “type-A” person, I have a couple of decades experience being mindful of mental/emotional things to do to lower my stress, but I frequently forget the physical component. Thank you for this!
Ronae recently posted..The Work-At-Home Downside
Wow…Ronae, thank you!
These are great tips Sherie, and I really needed them this week! Thanks!
Helena recently posted..Twitter Scheduling Tips for Bloggers
I am glad that you found them useful and hope this week settles down for you, Helena!
I’m actually a staunch advocate of the take a walk method of relieving stress. When I was younger that walk tended to be a long, spirtied jog.
No more!
After a brisk walk the physical exertion seems to make the dilemma you’ll later face a little less intimidating.
Some suggest using this walk time to tune out, to completely remove the stressful event from your mental focus. I have yet to accomplish that. But I have found that a good walk gives me a chance to more calmly weigh the various options I might employ to confront whatever problem that ails.
Adam D. Oglesby recently posted..Insane Bad Move: Reuniting With Your Ex!
Exercise is awesome for relieving stress, especially going for a walk…which we usually do outside, so there is that extra connection with nature too! Thanks for your insights, Adam!
Ahh just love your tips Sherie ! Great way to reduce stress and enjoy your life!
Barbara J Peter recently posted..What you Say Can Affect Your Child’s Self-Esteem.
Barbara, thank you so much! <3