Feeling overwhelmed is an all-too-common in today’s world. It’s a state that can cloud judgement, impede productivity, and, if not managed properly, lead to burnout. Recognising and avoiding certain things during these times is crucial for maintaining mental health and achieving personal and professional goals. Here are 7 common mistakes to avoid when you feel overwhelmed:
1. Ignoring Your Feelings
One of the biggest things we tend to do is dismiss or ignore our feelings of being overwhelmed. Acknowledging that you’re struggling is the first step towards managing your workload and emotional state. By recognising your feelings, you can take proactive steps to address the root causes and find solutions.
2. Failing to Prioritise Tasks
When we have too much on, it’s easy to lose sight of what’s urgent and important. Not prioritisng tasks can lead to misallocated time and resources, exacerbating stress levels. It’s really important to identify which tasks require immediate attention and which can wait. This not only streamlines your workload but also provides a clearer path forward.
3. Neglecting Self-care
Self-care is often the first thing to go when we’re overwhelmed, but it’s during these times that we need it the most. Neglecting your physical and mental health can often make us feel even more stressed and this can then decrease your ability to cope with what you have on. Maintaining healthy habits such as getting enough sleep, eating well, exercising, and engaging in activities that relax and rejuvenate you can help. My advice on this one is to focus on one of these when you feel like you have too much on, even if you have a few days of eating well can make a huge difference. Small steps, even one small step towards you could be a game changer.
4. Struggling to Delegate or Ask for Help
Trying to tackle everything on your own is a common in most people. Delegation and seeking assistance are not signs of weakness but rather of strong leadership and self-awareness. Identify tasks that others can help you with and don’t hesitate to ask for support when needed. This can significantly lighten your load and reduce stress.
5. Procrastinating
Procrastination is a common response to feeling overwhelmed but ultimately leads to more stress and anxiety as deadlines approach. Breaking tasks into smaller, manageable steps can help overcome the inertia to start and keep you moving forward.
6. Engaging in Negative Self-talk
Be mindful of how you talk to yourself during stressful times. Negative self-talk can erode self-confidence and amplify feelings of being overwhelmed. Instead, practice positive self-talk and remind yourself of your strengths and past successes. This can help shift your mindset to one that’s more focused and capable of handling stress. I find that taking a few minutes to walk away from what I’m doing and breaking the cycle of negative self-talk can have an instant change. Even just spinning in your chair and looking out the window at the sky, clouds, a bird, anything that will shift your mind. Or even doing a few spins in your chair could make you laugh!!!
7. Resisting Change
Being rigid in your methods and unwilling to adapt to changing circumstances can exacerbate feelings of being overwhelmed. Flexibility and openness to change can help you navigate through challenging times more effectively. Sometimes, a shift in approach or perspective is all it takes to reduce stress and manage workload better.
Feeling overwhelmed is a signal, not a failure. It’s important to heed this signal and adjust your strategies accordingly. When you are aware of these things above you can navigate through stressful periods with greater ease and resilience, ultimately fostering a healthier, more balanced approach to work and life. Remember, it’s not about avoiding feeling overwhelmed altogether but rather managing how you respond to it when it happens.
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