CCChat April 2025.pdf - Flipbook - Page 37
The Realm of Whelm
How to manage overwhelm
It can be difficult to pinpoint exactly why
we become overwhelmed. It could be one
single big stressor, such as a traumatic
event or losing a loved one, or a number of
smaller ones that accumulate, like being
caught up in traffic which makes us late
which can then set off a chain of events
that trigger overwhelm.
Some emotions may overwhelm you more
easily than others and when dealing with
conflicting feelings at once, emotional
overwhelm is more likely to happen
especially with some conditions, such as
anxiety and depression, which already have
emotional overwhelm as a symptom.
Common triggers that can
emotional overwhelm include:
lead
to
Relationships- especially ones that are
demanding, unhealthy or abusive.
Physical or mental health illness
Demanding jobs
Financial stress
Significant life changes
Time constraints
Death of a loved one
Personal trauma
Family responsibilities
Stressful environments
Pressure to achieve more
Information overload
Doomscrolling
It can be difficult to recognise when we are
feeling overwhelmed, but there are some
signs to watch out for such as:
1. Physical Symptoms: You might
experience tension in your body—like
headaches, muscle tightness, such as
clenching your jaw or fatigue.
Overwhelm can also disrupt your sleep
or appetite.
2. Emotional Changes: Feeling irritable,
anxious, frustrated, or tearful without a
clear reason might be your brain
signaling it is overloaded.
3. Mental Fog: Struggling to focus, make
decisions, or remember things can often
be tied to overwhelming stress.
4. Procrastination: If you're avoiding
tasks that usually wouldn't faze you, it
could be a sign you're feeling stretched
too thin.
5. Loss of Motivation: You might feel
stuck or unmotivated even to begin
tasks, as they feel insurmountable.
6. Rapid Heart Rate or Breathing:
Physical stress reactions, like a racing
heart or shallow breathing, may crop up
when things feel unmanageable.
7. Negative Thought Patterns: If you find
yourself catastrophising or feeling like
everything is going wrong, it could be
ansign of overwhelm.
The ability to tune into what your body is
telling you is important. If you notice several
of these signs, it might be time to step
back, reassess, and take care of yourself.
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