OVERWHELMED
“If you're going through hell, keep going.” Winston Churchill
Feeling overwhelmed is the sense of being completely overloaded, emotionally, mentally, or physically—by too many demands at once. It’s an intense form of stress that can leave a person feeling stuck, unable to think clearly, or struggling to function. Common signs include mental exhaustion, anxiety, and physical reactions such as rapid heartbeat. This feeling often arises during difficult periods, major life changes, or when facing tasks and problems that feel too complex or unmanageable. Under this pressure, clarity and focus tend to fade, making everything seem even more difficult. When the sense of overwhelm is managed, it becomes easier to think clearly, make decisions, and focus on what matters most. Tasks feel more manageable, priorities become clearer, and productivity improves. Falling asleep becomes easier instead of lying awake with too many thoughts.
WHAT IS OVERWHELMED
Overwhelm often comes from too many thoughts competing in your mind at once. This “intermingling” happens when your mind is juggling multiple ideas or tasks simultaneously. To reduce overwhelm:
Stop multitasking.
Minimize distractions. Less input leads to a calmer mind.
Step outside your home or office and find a calm, low-stress environment.
Bring a pen and paper, and get ready to put your thoughts down.
Let your shoulders relax and release any tension in your jaw.
Breathe slowly to help reduce cortisol levels: inhale for 4 seconds, then exhale for 6–8 seconds.
To organize your thoughts, start by asking yourself:
What truly needs to be done today?
What can wait?
Next, focus on your goals. Instead of trying to complete everything at once, break tasks into small, manageable steps. Set boundaries by saying “NO” or “not right now.” And don’t forget to take short breaks when you need them.
PREPARATION
GUIDED SESSION
Use headphones for optimal sound
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Feeling Overwhelmed: A Parsesciencing Inquiry. Edwin-Nikko R. Kabigting, RN; PhD. Nursing Science Quarterly. Volume 34, Issue 3.
Overwhelming Patients and Overwhelmed Therapists. Monica Carsky, et al. Guilford Press Periodicals. March 2012.
The Living Experience of Feeling Overwhelmed: A Parse Research Study. Barbara Backer Condon. Sage Journals. Volume 27, Issue 3.
Information for the Overwhelmed. Dr Helen King. Taylor & Francis. Pages 47-48. 15 Dec 2015.