How to Stop Feeling Overwhelmed pt. 2
You may have read my post The Reason You’re Overwhelmed ( and How to Stop It) in which I explained that I was recently hit with a virus just after returning home from traveling, and how life didn’t fall apart because I had margin — then I gave you some tips for how to stop feeling overwhelmed.
Well, what if your mini-crisis becomes a full-blown emergency situation, or you are dealing with a long-term issue such as chronic illness?
Ironically, not long after I published that post, my life became even more overwhelming when another nasty virus raged through our family for the next few weeks. I was sent straight to “emergency mode” as I tried to take care of everyone and maintain all of my responsibilities.
I felt like I was barely able to keep my head above water, as they say, but let me share a few steps that I took, which may help you if you are dealing with chronic illness or other overwhelming situations. (And by the way, I hurt with you. Life in “emergency” mode is exhausting emotionally, spiritually and physically.)
Here’s what I did to survive our recent storm.
How to Stop Feeling Overwhelmed
Focus on the Basics
If a natural disaster happens, officials can declare a “state of emergency” so that all of the resources of an area are dedicated to recovering from the disaster. When our life circumstances become overwhelming, we need to declare our own state of emergency and focus on just the basics — no frills, no fuss.
We need to enter survival mode where our top priorities become meeting immediate survival needs only.
This is not the time to take on extra work hours, start classes, volunteer or host a get-together. We need to gather our resources and conserve energy.
Ask for Help
In the event of a natural disaster, a state’s governor can call the National Guard up for duty to help out with the clean up and recovery. In our personal lives we need to call on any friends or family who can help us through the difficult time. During the past few weeks I have asked my husband and daughter to do the grocery shopping when I was too sick to shop, and I asked a friend to take care of a task for me. Another friend sweetly brought us dinner.
You don’t need to face your hardship alone. Don’t be afraid to reach out when you’re overwhelmed.
Simplify
Survival mode means that we have to eliminate any non-essential tasks. Meals have to be as simple as possible — sandwiches and cereal, anyone? We’re using paper plates to avoid dishes piling up. The sheets aren’t getting washed unless someone throws up on them. And someone may have to wear a pair of jeans two days in a row.
While we were dealing with this crisis in our home, you may have noticed that I didn’t post on the blog. While I dearly wanted to create lovely posts and goodies for you, I just didn’t have the energy, so I had to cross that task off my to-do list.
Don’t put pressure on yourself to maintain the level of what you can achieve when life is normal. Just take care of the absolute musts, and let everything else go.
Pray
I pray a lot, but when life becomes stressful, I pray a lot more. Fear and worry can easily take over during times of stress, but I find that praying and focusing on God’s love for me really helps me to stay calm and peaceful. When I feel worried, I try to remember to focus on God and His goodness instead of giving into the anxiety.
God is on your side and wants to help, so ask Him.
Sleep
When life is stressful, you need to rest as much as possible. Go to be earlier, take naps, veg out. Your body, mind and emotions need a break from the over-stimulation so take the time you need to restore yourself.
I think I slept more the past few weeks than I have in years. If your life is overwhelming right now, I encourage you to do the same — and don’t even feel guilty about it.
Life is calmer right now as three of our family members are feeling better, but I’m still dealing with some effects of the virus as well as fatigue so I will be continuing “survival mode” for a little while longer.
I would love to hear your tips and strategies for dealing with overwhelming life circumstances so please leave a comment. 🙂
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I think what you said about accepting help is so important. A wise person told me that when we ask a person to help us, we’re actually helping that person, too. We’re giving them the opportunity to experience the joy that comes from giving to others.
That’s such a great perspective Diane! Thanks so much for taking the time to comment.
Kimberlee, you are “right on the money” in your suggestions of what to do. When I was diagnosed with breast cancer last October (2016), only the basic and truly necessary tasks were done. I’m much older than most of your readers, I’m sure; and it’s just my husband and me in our household. We do have inside cats, though, and you really have to stay on top of cleaning the litter pans and putting out fresh water and food daily. That became one of our priorities, along with keeping up with dishes, laundry, and (kind of) keeping house. And that’s about what we did for at least a couple of months. We haven’t added a lot to that schedule even now. Daily, I now do the litter pans (several times a day as needed), dishes, and laundry. My husband cleans house (sweeping, mopping, deep cleaning the bathrooms, etc.) every Tuesday. Life has slowed down definitely, but we’ve decided that it’s OK to miss a day of washing 2 plates, 2 glasses,1 cup, and maybe a skillet and a pan. If I’m too tired, I just fill the sink with dishwater and put all the dishes in it. They can get washed the next day. And it’s OK to miss washing a load of clothes a day; I just wash two loads the next day. You just have to prioritize, get to feeling better, do what you feel like you can do, and just don’t worry about what doesn’t get done on one day. Your advice is always good, and I love your blog/website.
Thanks so much for your encouragement Faith! I’m so sorry that you have been dealing with such a challenge, but it sounds like you and your husband are focused on what’s most important.
When this happens I say its God’s way of “time to slow down”. Hope you are feeling better now.
Totally! I know He doesn’t cause our sickness but He will use the down time if we allow Him to.
I completely agree. A few times we have gone into this mode too. Especially a few yrs back when my husband was critically ill in hospital for 3 months. I called on friends and mominlaw every day for help with kids. And friends and church blessed us with food and gift cards. More recently … flu bug took me down while my husband was away on work and I slept every minute possible and kids ate lots of cereal, apples and toast. Be kind to yourself and completely put aside anything that taps life energy during these times. God bless
Thanks for the encouragement Heather! So glad your husband is better.