Discussion What do you do when you are totally overwhelmed?

[onthefence]

I am completely overwhelmed right now and can't get myself regulated. I have about 7 things that need to be done in the next 4 hours and can't stop freaking out long enough to just start doing them. What do you do or tell yourself when you are stuck like this?

 

[NoFancyNames]

For me I have to unstuck myself first. So if the things can wait, I try whatever I need to calm myself down and rest. Sometimes it's going for a walk.with peaceful music, sometimes it's hysterical crying under cold shower, situational.

If I can't really take time to get my brain right, I take few minutes to breath slowly with eyes closed. After that I start small and breakdown down the tasks as much as I can and I try to get my brain to focus on one step at a time.


It.is easier said then done but it works when I manage do it.

I am completely overwhelmed right now and can't get myself regulated. I have about 7 things that need to be done in the next 4 hours and can't stop freaking out long enough to just start doing them. What do you do or tell yourself when you are stuck like this?

Also good luck, whatever it is, you can get it done.

 

[spero_meliora]

This is always a difficult one - sometimes when I'm very overwhelmed I go into a dark room, put on my headphones, lay down and close my eyes. It forces me to really calm myself and focus only on what I can hear. Going for a walk in a quiet place really helps, too.

Breaking down tasks into the smallest possible chunks that you can is also helpful. Even if you can only do one small thing, it's a thing off your list.

Don't be afraid to have a good cry, either - getting it out that way helps sometimes.

Whatever you choose, I believe in you!

 

[onthefence]

Thanks so much!! I'm going to take a little break with music and breathing from freaking out and then get to work.

 

[NoFancyNames]

You've got this!

 

[ConfusedClouds]

For me, I find its almost the opposite. I have to get myself hyped up if I need to kickstart myself. I guess in some ways it could maybe be giving my overwhelm something 'objectively genuine' to be overwhelmed by so that my to do list/tasks then feels smaller.

So for that I get some dance/drum and bass type upbeat music going. Or high intensity exercise (run up some stairs then walk back down several times).

But equally, thats probably one of my more harmful habits. But seems to be my best bet atm - force myself to get started and then once I have started, I realise how much I was overthinking.

Saying all that, there's definitely times where a rest/break and stepping back to remind yourself of the bigger picture and the level of urgency of things and accepting its ok to prioritise and either miss or delay or leave out certain things. Pick your battles. And then things might naturally fall into place/start 'just happening'.

Good luck and I hope you find one of the variety of suggestions from everyone works for you.

 

[onthefence]

Thank you all! I definitely over imbibed in caffeine (energy drink and 2 cups of coffee chugged for lunch instead of eating) to make it through work today and that makes my anxiety so much worse. But it was either get hopped up on caffeine or not be able to do what I had to. Of course about the time I got to go home it was wearing off and I was crashing. I really do feel better after taking 10 minutes to lay quietly, breathe, and focus on listening to some music. I will definitely use that tactic again. I have been pretty resistant to any kind of relaxation for a long time because usually as soon as I stop moving I start having flashbacks and freaking out. I was amazed that today it seemed to work. Thanks so much for your support.