Whenever Life Gets Completely Overwhelming, Take A Deep Breath And Remember These Reminders To Cope
Even though spring has officially begun, it still feels like winter in much of the country, and the long, cold season has left many of us feeling more stressed and overwhelmed. This common seasonal mood effect, coupled with other personal stressors, can lead to emotional tolls that feel simply unbearable.
If you’re feeling more overwhelmed than usual, you’ve come to the right place. As someone who has dealt with her fair share of anxiety and stress, I’ve picked up some helpful reminders and tips for coping with it along the way.
Here are a few things to remember the next time you feel overwhelmed.
It’s okay not to be okay
Often, people get overwhelmed because they’ve been suppressing their emotions for too long. When you keep trying to deny the fact that you’re stressed out and keep doing what you’ve been doing, you lead yourself down a dark path.
We’re living in a time where “grind culture” is very much a thing, and it can be quite toxic. Stop suppressing your negative emotions and face them instead. It’s okay not to be okay. You’re only human, and going through hard times is normal.
Sometimes, you have to cry it out
Similarly to my first point, you shouldn’t be denying yourself an emotional release. I’ve had moments where I’ve started to cry while telling loved ones how stressed or overwhelmed I was and quickly said, “I can’t believe I’m crying,” or “I’m trying not to cry.”
But honestly, crying is sometimes the best medicine. Allowing yourself to cry means allowing yourself to release your negative emotions and frustrations. It will feel really good to let yourself cry and feel what you need to feel.
NDABCREATIVITY – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only, not the actual person
You can only solve one problem at a time
Sometimes, when I’m overwhelmed, I start to think about everything that’s gone wrong in my life or every single issue I need to take care of, making me even more stressed.
Stop trying to solve everything at once and instead tackle one problem at a time. Again, you’re only human, and there’s only so much you can do.
Mental health breaks are allowed
While some people are quick to brush off the idea of a “mental health break,” they’re actually really helpful and important during times like these. Take a day off work and rest up.
When stressed out, our immune systems become affected, and we can get sick much easier. Therefore, it’s important to have rest days, even if they’re mental rest days.
You will find the light again
Chances are, if you’re feeling overwhelmed right now, it’s not your first time feeling these emotions. Getting stressed and overwhelmed several times a year is normal.
If you reflect on the past, you’ll remember that you’ve made it out of this funk before. There is light at the end of the tunnel, and you will be okay.
If you’re feeling really overwhelmed, stressed, or anxious right now, my heart is with you. Reach out to loved ones for some extra support and get the help you need. Hang in there!
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