You can’t calm the storm, so stop trying. What you can do is calm yourself. The storm will pass.” — Timber Hawkeye
There’s a lot going on in the world right now and no matter how organized or Zen we strive to be — life gets crazy sometimes. No one’s immune to overwhelm, but fortunately, there are some real (and quite simple!) things we can do to help us through it.
1. Be Kind to Your Mind
When we’re overwhelmed our minds take off in the wrong direction. We think the worst thoughts possible and let them run wild.
Don’t let your mind go to the bad side — manage anxiety and fear by reaching for thoughts that make you feel even a tiny bit better.
No matter what you’re going through remind yourself, “This isn’t the rest of my life.” Because it’s not. This too shall pass. (Trite but true.)
Slow down your thoughts or even better release them completely with meditation. Even a 10-minute quiet or guided meditation can make a huge difference.
We’re huge fans of Tara Brach’s ‘Smile’ Meditation.
2. Breathe
This old-school centering technique works wonders to calm even the most overwhelmed:
Place your right hand over your heart and left hand on your stomach and take three super deep breaths in … and out. On your next round of three breaths take it further and repeat this affirmation by Louise Hay with each breath.
“I am safe. All is well.”
Trust everything is going to be OK and feel overwhelm go away.
3. Do Less
This one you may be thinking, “How can I do less when I’m overwhelmed with so much to do?!” But just go with us on this …
When we’re stressed and overwhelmed we feel there’s so much to do and not enough time to do it. We’re burdened by the pressure that we should be doing more. But what we really need is to do less.
Create more white space in your calendar by taking a look at your to-do list and crossing off anything that’s not absolutely necessary right now. Can it wait until tomorrow? Next month? Can you eliminate it altogether?
Focus only on what’s absolutely necessary and forget about the rest.
4. Ask for help
Yes, we are amazing and can handle whatever’s thrown at us. We can do one hundred million things and we can do them All. By. Ourselves. (Thank you very much!)
Yes, we can … But we really don’t need to.
When overwhelmed ask for help — or outsource and hire help. Call on friends and family. Practice prayer or send out your requests to the universe. Even if we can carry the load we needn’t stress ourselves more than we already are. This is the time to lower our guards, be vulnerable and ask for help.
We’re always happy to help out others – now let them enjoy returning the favor!
Be good to yourself today!
P.S. Feeling like you could use less overwhelm and more happiness and ease in your life? We’ve got you covered with our brand new class!
Quote du Jour
“If the problem can be solved why worry? If the problem cannot be solved worrying will do you no good.” ― Shantideva
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