Have You Hit the Wall? Tips to Manage Consistently Feeling Overloaded

Sooner or later, life becomes busy with daily responsibilities — working, taking care of your family, juggling extra activities and more. All the busyness can make you feel overloaded. After all, there are only so many hours in a day! Feeling overloaded can leave you feeling exhausted, drained of energy and unproductive. You might be inclined to say, “Enough is enough!” 

Below are simple approaches that are easy to implement and can lead to positive habits that will help you manage your feelings of overload.

• Choose one small thing on your list. To make progress, choose something small that can be checked off your to do list. Follow through will boost your confidence and act like a stepping-stone to getting more things done. Before you know it, you’ll have the momentum needed to tackle other tasks.
• Set new priorities. One way to know if something is truly a priority is to ask yourself, “Of all the things I need to do, what would have the most negative outcome if I didn’t get it done?” —that’s the thing you complete first. You can then rank the remaining tasks and responsibilities in a similar fashion. You may need to set new priorities every week and be OK with saying no to new tasks or requests.
• Eat healthy and exercise. Incorporate fresh, wholesome fruits and vegetables into your diet. They’re packed with nutrients that will help you feel your best. Even a small change, like having a daily salad, can make a big difference. Additionally, moving your body 15-30 minutes a day can boost your mood and improve mental clarity. 
• Be mindful. Mindfulness can help you identify when you’re feeling overwhelmed and swamped. It’s important to stop what you’re doing and notice your emotions. Sit or stand quietly for a few minutes and take deep breaths to create calm. It might be helpful to visualize yourself in a peaceful setting.

It’s important to recognize the signs of overload in order to avoid feeling completely overwhelmed. Best Care EAP encourages you to be proactive and take the steps necessary to ensure you are caring for yourself.

Additional Help 

If you’re experiencing continual overload despite trying to manage it yourself, don’t hesitate to reach out to Best Care EAP. Our licensed counselors are available to provide support and guidance. To schedule a confidential appointment, fill out the counseling registration form. If you have issues with the form, please call our office at (402) 354-8000 or (800) 801-4182 and we'll be glad to help. 

More Resources 

Best Care EAP's website offers a variety of resources that can help boost your emotional and mental health, like this brief webinar on how to stay focused. You can also find a variety of articles in our Resource Hub to support your overall well-being.