Feeling Overwhelmed? You’re Not Alone

Remember – if we can overthink the worst, why can we overthink the best?

Inspired by the Body+Soul article “An Expert Guide to Tackling Overwhelm” (14 June 2026).

Let’s be honest—life can feel like a lot sometimes. Between work deadlines, family commitments, financial pressures, social expectations, and the constant stream of notifications demanding our attention, it’s no wonder so many of us feel overwhelmed. For some, overwhelm creeps in gradually. For others, it arrives like a tidal wave, leaving us feeling exhausted, anxious, irritable, and stuck.

The recent Body+Soul article on tackling overwhelm highlighted an important reality: overwhelm isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s often a signal that our minds and bodies are carrying more than they can comfortably manage.

The good news? Overwhelm is something we can address.

First, Stop Trying to “Push Through”

Many of us have been taught that when things get hard, we simply work harder. We push through. We keep going.

But overwhelm doesn’t usually respond well to more pressure.

When we’re overwhelmed, our brains shift into survival mode. Decision-making becomes harder. Concentration drops. Even simple tasks can feel impossible. Instead of pushing harder, the first step is often to pause.

That pause might be five minutes of deep breathing, a short walk around the block, or simply sitting quietly with a cup of tea. The goal isn’t to solve everything immediately. It’s to calm the nervous system enough so that we can think clearly again.

Get Everything Out of Your Head

One of the biggest contributors to overwhelm is mental clutter.

When we’re trying to remember twenty different things at once, our brains become overloaded. Writing everything down can be surprisingly powerful.

Grab a notebook and make a list of everything that’s currently demanding your attention. Work tasks, appointments, bills, family responsibilities, things you’ve been meaning to do for months—everything.

Once it’s on paper, it often feels less daunting. What seemed like a giant, tangled mess becomes a list of individual items that can be managed one at a time.

Ask Yourself: What Actually Needs My Attention Today?

Not everything is urgent.

Overwhelm often tricks us into believing that everything needs to be done right now. In reality, very few things are true emergencies.

Try asking:

• What absolutely must be done today?
• What can wait until tomorrow?
• What can be delegated?
• What can be removed altogether?

Many people discover they’re carrying responsibilities that don’t actually belong to them.

Lower the Bar (Temporarily)

This one can be difficult, especially for perfectionists.

When life feels overwhelming, aiming for perfection often makes things worse. Sometimes “good enough” is exactly what’s needed.

Maybe dinner isn’t home-cooked tonight. Maybe the house isn’t spotless. Maybe that project isn’t polished to perfection.

That’s okay.

Lowering expectations temporarily isn’t giving up—it’s conserving energy for what matters most.

Reconnect with the Basics

When we’re overwhelmed, the first things we often neglect are the very things that help us cope.

Ask yourself:

• Have I eaten properly today?
• Have I had enough water?
• Have I moved my body?
• Have I slept enough this week?
• Have I spent any time doing something enjoyable?

These may seem simple, but they form the foundation of emotional wellbeing.

You can’t pour from an empty cup, and you certainly can’t think clearly when your body is running on empty.

Remember: Overwhelm is Information

Rather than viewing overwhelm as the enemy, consider it a messenger.

It’s often telling us something important:

• Your workload may be unsustainable
• Your boundaries may need strengthening
• Your self-care may have slipped
• You may be carrying emotional burdens that need attention

Instead of fighting the feeling, get curious about what it’s trying to tell you.

Final Thoughts

Overwhelm has become almost a normal part of modern life, but that doesn’t mean we have to accept living in a constant state of stress.

The Body+Soul article reminds us that overwhelm isn’t something to be ashamed of—it’s a signal that something needs adjusting.

The next time you find yourself drowning in responsibilities, remember this: you don’t have to solve everything today.

Take a breath.

Write down the next small step.

Focus on one thing at a time.

Progress doesn’t come from doing everything at once. It comes from doing the next right thing, one manageable step at a time.