10 Things to do When You Feel Overwhelmed

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Feeling overwhelmed is not fun to say the least. Maybe you have 3 exams tomorrow, maybe you don’t know what decision to make about something serious, maybe you just have a to-do list that you feel you can’t finish until next year…whatever it is, it’s not good for you. Honestly, there’s no point in feeling overwhelmed because everything will be okay no matter what! Eliminate unnecessary stress and anxiety by taking time to reflect and do things that bring joy to your life. Scale things down, it may help NOT to look at the big picture, take baby steps and you’ll get through it!

1. Clean

I put this first for a reason. Cleaning is my number one go to if I feel overwhelmed (or any emotion really). Whether you’re overwhelmed with work to do, emotions you’re feeling, or anything else, cleaning can help calm you down and give you a peace of mind. I usually start tidying up paper work on my desk, taking out the trash in my bedroom and bathroom, vacuuming, and topping it all off with lighting a couple of candles. A clean space can definitely improve some tension and the cleaning itself is distracting and productive!

2. Take a nap/Call it a night

My second favorite thing to do if I’m feeling overwhelmed! Sleeping allows you to escape for awhile and start over fresh. There have been several nights where I had so much to do but I just couldn’t bring myself to do it and I would get frustrated. I would just call it a night, go to bed early, and wake up early to finish whatever I needed to!

3. Make a to-do list

Sometimes you’re overwhelmed for no reason, usually everything will be ok in the end. Write down a to-do list of everything you need to get done, by what deadline, and then prioritize from there! It’ll help put into perspective that you’re stressing yourself out and you can accomplish what needs to get done. It may be difficult, but it’s not impossible!

4. Journal

Maybe you feel overwhelmed for some other reason that you’re not even aware of. It’ll help to write it out and get down to the bottom of it. Just write exactly how you feel, let out all your emotion and try to understand why you’re feeling the way you’re feeling.

5. Get some fresh air

Crack your window open or take a nice long walk in the park, you may just need a little break or some time to yourself to breathe and admire the little things the planet has to offer.

6. Do something important on your to-do list

Is there something super important on your to-do list? Maybe it’s been bothering you all week? Push yourself to just get it done. If you finish at least that, a huge weight will be lifted off of you!

7. Meditate/Yoga/Stretch/Get Moving

Find a quiet corner and meditate for 20 minutes. Stretch or do some yoga to ease tension, there are tons of great yoga tutorials on YouTube! Or just get to the gym and lift some heavy weights or go for a 3 mile run in your neighborhood. Getting my energy out through exercise has always been my favorite therapy for anything I’m feeling! There’s something so empowering about lifting heavy weights or sprinting as fast as you can.

8. Take a shower/bath

I’m taking a bubble bath as I write this! I like to use some bubbles and a Lush bath bomb, dim the lights, and sit in silence. It’s beautiful, relaxing, and great for you!

9. Drink some tea/coffee

Does anyone else just love the feeling of curling up under a blanket on a small couch with a warm drink in hand? I do!! It’s just so blissful…one of those small things in life that I appreciate dearly.

10. Read

Read a book, a magazine, or a blog post! Whatever it is that you want to. I enjoy self-improvement books like You Are a Badass, but sometimes I love getting lost in mystery novels. Take a break from whatever it is that’s bothering you and lose yourself in some words.

I hope you find these ideas helpful and as a good way to calm your overwhelm. Sometimes we just need to make time for a breather, allowing us to shift gears into a more positive, focused zone. Do what it takes to pull yourself together and conquer whatever it is that is burdening you!

“You can’t calm the storm…so stop trying. What you can do is calm yourself. The storm will pass.” — Timber Hawkeye