The world feels like it’s moving faster than ever. Constant innovation, pushes for productivity, frequent and ever changing data, thoughts forever fill our minds and feelings of overwhelm can come on suddenly, without warning and can be increasing difficult to work through. Here are some tips to help cope with a fast paced world.
Try these to help slow down and manage strong emotions:
- Listen to Music: Music has a profound effect on our mood. In a different article we discussed how sounds can be used to change our brain chemistry and ultimately alter our moods. Listening to soothing music can bring about a sense of calm, or pop music can help spark a positive mindset.
- Get Outside: Nature has a wonderful way of bringing us back to baseline. Even a small, five minute walk around your neighbourhood can regulate your nervous system, calming your nerves.
- Make a cup of tea or drink a glass of water: Do something to take your mind off the rest of the world and slow down, even if it’s for a moment. Hydration keeps our entire system healthy and improves mood.
- Try a “Conscious Stream”: Whether you talk aloud to yourself or write in a journal, a conscious stream is a unrestricted act of releasing trapped emotions through communication. Simply write or talk about how you’re feeling without judgement. You’ll be surprised by how much emotional baggage you can unload by becoming your own therapist.
- Set boundaries: Setting boundaries can help you to manage your time and energy, and can be especially important if you are feeling overwhelmed. Consider setting limits on how much time you spend on certain activities or with certain people, and make sure to carve out time for rest and relaxation.
- Practice mindfulness: Mindfulness involves paying attention to the present moment in a nonjudgmental way. Practicing mindfulness can help you to reduce stress and increase your sense of calm and clarity.
- Seek support: It can be helpful to talk to a trusted friend, family member, or healthcare provider about your feelings. They may be able to offer support and guidance.
- Create Art: Create something meaningful to you. Paint, apply makeup to match your mood, sketch, sing, and explore artistic ways of unleashing the emotion.
It’s important to remember that emotions ebb and flow, they do not last forever. Be gentle with yourself when you are feeling overwhelmed. Feelings are your bodies way of communicating with you. Use this time to self reflect on what caused the feelings of Overwhelm and create an action plan to help yourself create more space.
You can’t calm the storm, so stop trying. What you can do is calm yourself. The storm will pass.
