Overwhelm is an overpowering feeling of reluctance or worry often related to responsibilities, self-expectations at work or in your personal life. Since this is of common occurrence, let’s discuss why so many women leaders and other people are feeling overwhelmed and how to cope with this feeling.
Why do people feel overwhelmed?
We live in a world that is excessively demanding nowadays. Not having a good way to get through daily experiences or at times in the absence of a reliable support system, you may feel overwhelmed, especially if there is a sudden change in your routine or an unexpected event.
Causes of overwhelm
Overwhelm may be due to many small stressors making you feel that you cannot take on more responsibilities. When this happens, you may feel excessively stressed. In addition, this feeling may be accompanied by negative thoughts and feeling impotent about life challenges. Furthermore, you may also experience a drop in your productivity or an inability to start tasks or take simple action steps.
Some causes that may trigger one to feel overwhelmed are:
- Personal sickness or health issues in a loved one
- Excessive amount of work
- Toxic work environment
- Difficult personal relationships
- Financial hardship
- Major life changes
Signs and symptoms of feeling overwhelmed
- Overreacting: You may overreact to simple daily experiences. For example, you may feel panic if you can’t find your keys. You may also feel irritable or angry at the simplest obstacle or when solving problems.
- Inability to think rationally: Problems may seem gigantic, leading you to feel frequently defeated.
- Paralysis: You may feel unable to function and simple tasks can consequently become impossible to accomplish.
- Procrastination: You know you have responsibilities to fulfill, however, you may postpone or totally avoid tasks that make you feel stressed.
- Withdrawal: You may withdraw from friends, family, and acquaintances because you feel that they don’t understand your situation or can’t help with what you’re going through.
- Pessimism: Certain situations make you feel hopeless or helpless and everything around you seems to be negative.
- Mental fatigue: Confusion, difficulty concentrating and making decisions are signs and symptoms present in people with cognitive fatigue.
- Physical symptoms: You may have palpitations, fatigue or headaches, in addition to other aches and pains.
How to cope when you are feeling overwhelmed
- Set boundaries. Too much work can lead you to feel overwhelmed or burned out. Decide how many hours you will work each day.
- Delegate tasks. Consider asking others for help to lessen your load.
- Try relaxation techniques. There are many ways to relax that can help you feel better.
- Visualization techniques
- Listen to relaxing music
- Spend time outside. Waking in nature helps you relax and decreases negative thoughts
- Do something creative that you enjoy
- Talk to someone you know. Find friends, family or other people in your circle who will listen and reassure you that better times will come.
- Get help from a therapist. They may teach you how to use techniques that help you experience less overwhelm and help you change negative thought patterns.
About Dr. Landrau
Dr. Carmen W. Landrau is a professional speaker in Houston, TX. She works with organizations who want to retain women in the workforce and promote them to executive levels. Her programs about leadership and women’s empowerment, show professional women how to work on their mindset to obtain visibility and recognition so that they can become phenomenal leaders in their industry.
Invite Dr. Landrau to speak at your event via direct message to drlandrau.com/contact. Check her social media pages on LinkedIn, Instagram, Youtube, and Facebook.
