3 Strategies to Reduce Overwhelm

“I would rather be stressed than overwhelmed” - me

Stress motivates me to get things accomplished, so I don’t mind having a bit of stress. But being overwhelmed is the worst feeling I have experienced. It can leave me unmotivated, with no energy laying on the couch for hours and sometimes days.

And let me tell you. Gloomy days do nothing to help get me off the couch.

Instead of letting the overwhelm take control of my day, I have 3 strategies that always help me get back to my regular self.

1. Stay organized
   Ideally this is something you do before you get to the point of overwhelm. We have a lot going on in our lives, and our emotions can take control of our actions if we don’t have our days mapped out.

   1. Write down everything you need to get done onto a white piece of paper

   2. Take out your calendar and add your appointments for the upcoming week to it

   3. On that same calendar start adding the items that need to get done that week (be specific)
      For example, if one of the tasks is “write social media post” try to brainstorm what the topic could be.
      *The key here is to take away as much guessing as possible to eliminate overthinking, stress and overwhelm.

   4. Add maximum 3 of your to-do items to each day

   5. Any left-over tasks can be added to a sticky note, which you can check things off of once you finish your 3 daily to-do items OR use it to help you plan out the following week

**make sure you also schedule self-care and fun things - balance is key

2. Create a motivation toolkit
Open up the notes section on your cellphone to create your toolkit. We want to have it in a place you have access to all day long, because you never know when the overwhelm will strike.

1. Brain storm things that make you feel good? 

   • Starbucks vanilla latte

   • Favourite song

   • Comedy on youtube
     
     

2. What are things you used to do pre-covid?

• Go on walks

• See friends - now you can call them

• Travel - do a weekend getaway

• Eat fruit

The answer to these questions will help you create a toolkit you can fall back on when you notice yourself feeling overwhelm or not your high vibe self.

3. Create a vibe
You’ve probably noticed that your atmosphere helps you gain motivation. When you are in a local coffee shop working away you feel so productive and motivated. The vibe of the place fuels you which makes it a great technique for combating overwhelm.
Creating a vibe does not require you to leave your home. It is all about creating a feeling. These simple things can help you create a vibe:

• Lighting your favourite candle

• Grabbing your favourite snacks

• Playing your favourite soundtrack

• Putting water in a wine glass instead of a regular one

Maybe the vibe you want to set is coziness - go for it.

• Sit in front of your fireplace, light a candle, make some hot chocolate and get to work (or read a book if this is your self-care time). 

Just remember you are human and you are allowed to have days where you focus on regaining your energy.