How To Feel Less Overwhelmed When Life Gets Busy

Life can be a whirlwind...  

We’ve all been there, the clock seems to be ticking faster than ever, your list feels longer than imaginable and all of a sudden you lose the ability to do anything. You have so many thoughts running around in your brain it becomes impossible to focus and concentrate on anything, even though you need to focus because you still have so much left to do!  

When your attention is pulled in too many directions, and you feel like you have too much to do, it can often feel like the mental equivalent of having too many tabs open on your laptop. The brain actually perceives the feeling of overwhelm as a threat and triggers fight or flight in the body. This overstimulation can weaken your decision-making skills, negatively impact the brain over time and eventually lead to burnout! Basically, overwhelm is the enemy of productivity and can pull your focus not just away from your goals, but also hinder your personal and professional progress.  

If you find your ambition getting the better of you and you seem to have said yes to too many things and have too much on your plate, you’re probably wondering how you can still get things done when you feel snowed under. So here are some ways to lessen that feeling of overwhelm: 

1. Find the source of your overwhelm... 

Did you take on too many tasks at work? Have you made plans to see too many people in one weekend? Maybe you’re a perfectionist and find yourself spending longer than necessary on tasks?  

Once you can pinpoint exactly where the overwhelm begins to kick in, it becomes easier to set firmer boundaries to prevent history repeating itself! If a lot of your stress is self-inflicted due to perfectionism, you might need to be kinder to yourself and cut yourself some slack. Maybe you need to revisit your job responsibilities with your boss and see how you could lessen your workload.  

When you feel overwhelmed, it becomes easy to feel powerless and out of control... you simply feel snowed under, unable to complete anything. But let us tell you this, no matter how hard things might seem, you always have the power to take back control! Take time to acknowledge when you feel the most overwhelmed and busy, and then take the necessary steps to combat this.

2. 3 D’s 

Do it, delegate it or dump it!  

Every task should pass through the 3 D’s as you work to firm up on your priorities, leaving time for the things you either really need to do or want to do. This will help you assess every task on your to-do list, making quick intentional decisions. By applying this filter, you can streamline your priorities and free up time for what truly matters, without being weighed down by unnecessary tasks or responsibilities. 

To balance your top priorities, ensuring you don’t take on more than you can handle, use The Head Plan Journal. THIS is your secret productivity tool and how you can balance completing your tasks without the dreaded overwhelm. Here, you can also track the tasks you’ve decided to ‘dump’ meaning that when you have more time you can go back and complete these tasks. Saying no is productive! Eliminating non-essential tasks will give you more space to focus on the important tasks, be firm with yourself and stick to strict boundaries.

4. Presence!  

Often when we feel overwhelmed it’s because we are thinking of everything that still needs to be done, rather than focusing on what’s in front of us. It’s normal for the mind to race ahead, projecting into the future, rather than staying grounded in the present moment. This can create a sense of panic, as though we are falling behind. The key to this is to practice presence.  

In just a fraction of a second you could be worrying about how you’re going to get all of your work done, stressing about that email you have to send, or fretting that there simply aren’t enough hours in the day. But this time spent worrying, is time that could be spent taking action. 

The good news? There are so many ways to calm a racing mind and bring your attention back to the present moment! Practicing meditation is a great way to do this by bringing your brain back to what’s directly in front of you. 

4. Write it down 

With thousands and thousands of thoughts spiraling around in your head every day, it is only natural to feel overwhelmed and snowed under. Have you ever found yourself saying “If it’s not one thing it’s another?” Our minds are constantly racing... from remembering errands, juggling work deadlines, to thinking about future plans. It's no wonder that, without a system to manage these thoughts, they can start to feel like mental clutter, leaving us feeling stressed and drained. You are probably familiar with the saying ‘a problem shared is a problem halved’... Well, when your head feels like it’s swimming with thoughts, it’s time to take out your journal and write it down. When it comes to managing overwhelm, journaling acts as that confidant you can share your thoughts with, that’s why we call The Head Plan Journal your life-coach on paper. Think of this as decluttering your brain! Just as we feel more relaxed and calm in a tidy space, our minds feel more at ease when they aren’t packed with to-do lists, unresolved problems, and emotional stresses. When you take a moment to write down everything that’s been swirling around, this allows you to release the mental burden of carrying your thoughts with you throughout the day. It’s a great way to process feelings, clear up confusion in your head and gain perspective of what actually matters.  

5. Double down on the self-care 

You know that spa voucher you have sitting there? It’s time to put it to use.  

When life gets busy and things begin to feel overwhelming, the first thing people often let slide is their self-care and wellness actions. Often during times like this, the initial instinct is to double down and work even harder... further leading to burnout. But here’s the thing: if you don’t take care of yourself, you won’t be able to take care of anything else either. In The Head Plan Journal, there is a specific section to plan your self-care and wellness actions into your day, as these just are (if not more) important than your other tasks.  

Self-care is about listening to your needs and resting and re-charging when your body and mind needs it. Sometimes stepping back is exactly what you need... disconnect to reconnect! This way you will be better equipped to handle the tasks and challenges you’re faced with.  

Some wellness actions to incorporate into your day when you feel overwhelmed include:  

• A short walk outside during your lunch break  

• A 15 minute journaling session  

• Practicing meditation and breathwork  

• A coffee (or herbal tea) with a friend  

• Going to bed extra early to watch your favourite show  

 

By planning these actions ahead of time, you ensure that they don’t get lost in the hustle and bustle of daily life. Self-care stops being something you do as a special treat and becomes a regular, intentional practice that supports your overall well-being. 

When life gets busy and begins to feel overwhelming, it’s easy to feel like you’re drowning or struggling to stay afloat. But with the right mindset and tools, you can regain the control and begin to thrive again. By identifying the sources of your overwhelm, prioritising your tasks, focusing on the present moment, getting your thoughts out of your head and upping the self-care you will enhance your focus and help declutter your head!  

Remember, self-care isn’t a luxury... it’s a necessity. Incorporating these habits into your daily routine will help prevent the overwhelm stage, and using tools like The Head Plan Journal will help you find that much needed balance in your life.  

As Louise L. Hay puts it, “Your point of power is always in the present moment.” So, what can you do NOW?