50 things you can do when you feel overwhelmed
No matter how long I’ve been practicing meditation and yoga I still have bad days and get overwhelmed. In fact, I had one yesterday, we woke up really early to the smell of the motor burned out in our furnace and a cold house. As is often true these things don’t happen when it’s convenient. Not that there is a time that is convenient, but on a holiday Monday was not my favorite timing.
The smell had us very concerned that a fire could start and the error messages indicated the same. At this moment, all the breathing techniques and wisdom felt inaccessible. I was worried about what could have happened like the sheet on my son’s side of the bed on the register catching on fire. Or if there was anything in the air that would affect my husband’s asthma. And of course, I was worried about what it would cost to repair it all.
The stress was mounting and it felt so overwhelming that it was like I forgot everything I know. Then I ran to the store to get some supplies and all of a sudden I slipped on the ice, flew through the air and landed with a thud. That was it! Honestly, if I wasn’t so angry and scared I would have been a ball of tears. It took until today to get heat back, which goes great with -30 Degrees Celsius. And after the fall, EVERYTHING hurts!
As a coach, movement therapist and Yoga Teacher Trainer I work with people every day on reducing stress, building resiliency and methods to create ease. Even with all of that, I was overwhelmed and I needed support. One of the things I’ve come to learn is that we all need help. We all need our community. So I got on the phone and I asked for help. In the end, it took a couple of girlfriends, a cup of tea, dinner, and cards with my family and a good night sleep to finally settle my nervous system back down.
So it got me thinking, what if I had a list of what to do when I feel overwhelmed? So I asked friends and family, I remembered all the best wisdom shared from my mentors and created a list
50 things to do if you feel overwhelmed or defeated:
- Breathe
- Give yourself permission to feel your emotions fully
- Describe the emotions
- Describe the sensations in your body or mind
- Journal your thoughts until there are no more
- Enjoy a cup of tea or something soothing
- Take a bubble bath or shower
- Turn on your favorite music, sing, and dance
- Take some time in nature
- Watch a comedy for a good laugh
- Take a walk or go for a run
- Have a good cry
- Do a guided meditation
- Make your favorite meal
- Take a nap or have a good sleep
- Hang out with your favorite pet
- Write a list of all the things you are grateful for
- Take a yoga class
- Call a friend or loved one
- Volunteer in your community
- Read your favorite book or something totally new
- Call a friend and go to a movie
- Go for lunch or dinner with a friend
- Do something creative, paint, draw, or color
- Listen to something inspirational
- Life of Wellness – EFT Tapping
- Find a chore to do around the house
- Organize a room in your home
- Stay hydrated
- Make a list of all the things you have already survived
- Check something off your to-do list
- Write down your strengths
- Take a hike, spend some time at the beach
- Make an appointment with a coach
- Take some time to step away
- Take a mental health day
- Ask for help!
- Enroll someone in taking on some of the pressure
- Call an old friend get reconnected
- Close your eyes and listen to your heart’s answer to this question “what do I need right now” and then do what it says
- Take a cooking class
- Go to a museum
- Go to the park and listen to children playing
- Repeat your favorite positive affirmation
- Ask yourself what would your grandma or mom say
- Have a games night with friends and family
- Watch your favorite movie
- Go for a drive
- Go visit an animal shelter
- Talk to your doctor
Do you have another favorite thing to do when you feel overwhelmed or defeated? I’d love to hear it! Share in the comments
