When Life Happens (Overcoming feelings of Overwhelmed)
I remember when September used to signify a time of monumental change in our household – going from lazy summer days of swimming and late lunches to the whirlwind of getting everyone back into the routine of getting up every morning, getting ready for school, then coming home and trying to ensure everyone was not only fed, but heard. This doesn’t even cover the stuff that happened between 9am – 5pm. Ugh. No wonder I sometimes felt overwhelmed.
The Merriam-Webster website defines the word overwhelm as to cover over completely, or to overpower in thought and feeling. For some, being overwhelmed can result in feelings of irritability or anger. Others may suffer from panic attacks.
When feeling overwhelmed there are techniques that psychologist Maria Deibler suggests to use to stop or even prevent these feelings: focus on the task at hand; try some deep breathing exercises; accept that not everything has to be done right now and lastly, find time to relax and focus on you. For me that was always the biggest challenge – trying to arrange me time. But once I learned how to do this, I found it easier to focus on everyone else.
If you are having feelings of being overwhelmed and would like to talk to a professional, give our office a call to book an appointment.
Comments