What are the hidden signs of overwhelm? And 5 ways to manage it.
How well do you think you manage your overwhelm? Have you noticed that it shows up in hidden signs? It's important to recognize it, not only for yourself but for others. Being overwhelmed truly impacts our lives and is a mental health concern. Sometimes overwhelm tends to hide in symptoms that we do not pay attention to or intentionally ignore so that we can just continue to survive. If left unchecked it can lead to a host of problems, physically and mentally, affecting almost every aspect of your life. As moms, we tend to feel the most overwhelmed but it is also hidden among our kids and spouses as well. Check on them.
As a society, we don’t discuss it enough or address it at home or at work. Ignoring it just leaves it to grow, until it becomes more than we can handle. The feeling of being unable to cope with the demands placed on us leads to stress and a sense of feeling out of control and overloaded. This state of overwhelm can manifest in various ways and can have several hidden issues on our overall well-being.
It’s important to recognize the symptoms and learn ways to manage overwhelm. It may never go away, but these tips can lessen the burden that you face.
What Are the Signs of Overwhelm?
Physical Tensions:
- If you often feel a heaviness in your chest, tight shoulders, a persistent headache, or stomach aches, these are physical manifestations of stress. It could be a sign that overwhelm is taking a toll on your body. This physical manifestation is an indicator that it's time to slow down and address your mental well-being.
Anger and Frustration:
- Unexplained bursts of anger or frustration may be a signal that your stress levels are reaching a breaking point. Recognizing these emotions as signs of overwhelm allows you to take proactive steps to manage them.
Always Rushing:
- Constantly feeling like you're racing against the clock is a classic sign of overwhelm. If every moment seems like a sprint, it's crucial to pause and evaluate your priorities.
Avoiding and/or Hiding:
- If you find yourself withdrawing from social interactions or avoiding tasks, it is a sign that you cannot handle the current state. It almost feels like a frozen state. By ignoring this sign of being overwhelmed, it will only continue until you address it.
Over-Planning:
- Are you excessively planning every detail? It may be a way of coping with overwhelm. Moms tend to over-plan in order to control what's out of control, but recognizing these behaviors allows you to address the root cause rather than masking it.
5 Ways to Manage Overwhelm
1. Cancel It and Walk Outside:
- Whatever you are doing can wait. Cancel it. Nothing is more important than your health. Taking a brisk walk outdoors can reset your mind and body. Nature has a calming effect and can provide a fresh perspective on your challenges.
2. Talk to Someone:
- Share your feelings with a trusted friend, family member, or partner. Sometimes, verbalizing your thoughts can help lighten the emotional load, and the support of others can be invaluable. Find your person.
3. Blame it on Your Hormones:
- Yes, hormones play a major role. You can blame it on your hormones but then start to understand how hormonal fluctuations affect your mood. By knowing, you can help navigate the emotional waves with more grace and self-compassion. Your next step is to optimize your hormones. Find an expert.
4. Do a Deep Dive and Plan Your Goals:
- Set aside time to reflect on your priorities and responsibilities. Plan ahead. Break down tasks into manageable steps and create a realistic plan. This proactive approach can prevent the feeling of being constantly overwhelmed with goals set in place and a purpose-driven life.
5. Practice Gratitude:
- Amidst the chaos, take a moment to focus on what you're grateful for. Cultivating a gratitude practice can shift your perspective and remind you of the positive aspects of your life, helping to counterbalance stress. In the grand scheme, it’s usually not as bad as you think.
Overwhelm is not easy to overcome but it's essential to recognize the hidden signs and address them as they come up in your life.
The single most important thing we can do, at home and at work, is to support each other. As a parent, leader, spouse, daughter, son, and/or friend let’s make it our mission to recognize the signs, and lessen overwhelm by making resources available to address our unique needs to improve our physical and mental health.
