The 5 Ways To Beat Overwhelm

I’m writing this, friend, after a week. One of those weeks where absolutely nothing has gone the way I wanted or needed it to go.

After a fun weekend with friends, too little sleep, too much – WAY too much – on my plate = massive overwhelm.

So I thought I’d throw together a little how-to guide for you. Because if you’re not overwhelmed this week, you might be next week, or next month. And you need this stuff more than you know.

Here’s my five ways to feel better when you’re overwhelmed to hell:

1. Take some things off your to-do list.

Even little things like posting that parcel, or getting back to that message. Just tell yourself you’ll do it when you’re feeling better. Almost all things can wait, almost all people will understand. And that breathing room can make a massive difference. Trust me on this one.

2. R-E-S-T.

This episode of The Yoga Revolution Podcast is about resting (and savasana in particular). It’s basically a fundamental human necessity that we don’t think we have time for. And, honestly, it’s one of the main reasons you’re feeling overwhelmed and you get sick. Take. Time. Out. If you don’t have time for rest, you need to rest even more.

3. Speak to your bestie.

Even if that means cranking the relationship up a notch or two. I probably wouldn’t be alive without my girlfriends and my oversharing. Their perspective and gentle reminders that it’s okay, that I’m doing good, and that tomorrow is another day is one of the best tools I know of. Thanks girls, you know who you are. Love love love.

4. Do one teeny tiny thing.

One thing. Like a 10-minute workout, a 5-minute meditation (from our membership, obvs), or going for a walk. Or just opening your curtains first thing in the morning and staring at the sky for a bit. Something little, something you can just about manage. Because just this small thing can help you feel *way* better, and it’s likely to help you move into the state of mind to help you with the rest of your day. If it doesn’t? That’s okay too, which leads me to my final point:

5. Accept and allow.

We compound our feeling-bad days / weeks / months by giving ourselves hassle for them. That inner critic I know you battle with. The one telling you to pull yourself together, to be more productive, to suck it up and get shit done. It probably even tells you that no-one else deals with this crap (we can blame social media here). But let me remind you that everyone – yes, even that model-esque babe on the ‘gram who’s apartment looks like something out of House & Home – has days and weeks and months that are challenging. You’re not alone. Allowing yourself to be where you are is half the battle.

Life is inherently hard. We don’t get what we want. It doesn’t go our way. Hormones. Shit sleep. Unexpected problems and dramas. That’s all a given. It’s how we deal with those things that defines us as a human being, and it’s the way we deal with them that really impacts our mental and physical health.

Zero pressure. You got this. Even if you don’t. Here’s to being gentle with yourself.

In the meantime, come join me for free in The Yoga Revolution’s inner circle for free classes, inspiration, and free resources.