Officially Overwhelmed? A Busy Mother's Instant Fix
It can come out of the blue. You might be on top of your day, but just one curveball can throw you completely off kilter. Before you know it your head’s pounding, your mind’s in a jumble, you’re doing too many things at once – and getting nowhere fast. You’re officially overwhelmed.
You’re not alone. This is the number one struggle for busy mothers.
What usually kicks it off for me is extra stuff overlaid on an already jam packed schedule.
Certain times of the year – packing for a family trip, organising Christmas, family birthdays – are sure to tip me over the edge.
That slow rising sensation of overwhelm sucks and I’m learning to recognise the early warning signs, taking action before I flip my lid.
A brain too full of emotion can’t think rationally.
Here’s what to do before you slip into full blown panic.
1. Catch yourself early. As soon as you feel yourself winding up, summon all your reserves and press the pause button. Take a deep breath.
2. Get a pen and paper and write down everything that’s in your head. This alone will help ease the tension. Often what’s in your head is bigger and more time consuming than the reality.
3. Print out a Magic Matrix Action Sheet. This will quickly help you identify what’s really important from what just feels important right now.
4. What can you delegate? Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
5. What can you say NO to? If you’re prone to taking on too much, learn how to say no with confidence.
At the risk of sounding a bit hippy, I highly recommend the Bach Flower Remedy ELM for feeling overwhelmed. A few drops on the tongue of this totally natural potion and your head clears! I have a bottle on my desk at all times.
Are you prone to overwhelm? What do you do when it all feels like too much? Please leave your comment in the box below.
photo credit: wallyg – photopin.com
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I haven’t heard of that remedy. I may have to try some! I totally concur with writing things down and delegating. Those are two things I have had to learn over the years and while I am better, my husband still has to remind me from time to time that he can help out too!
Hi Stacey – getting stuff out of your head and onto paper is the best isn’t it? I’m amazed every single time I do it at how effective such a simple step can be. Do give the Bach Flower Remedies a try. I use them for all kinds of situations from boosting confidence in my kids to getting clarity when I’m working – in fact Kelly’s written a blog about them – http://bit.ly/1cNIkkj!