Here are some common scenarios that cause overwhelm and burnout around this time of year: Back to school. Half of 2019 is already gone. Finances might be a little tight. And… there’s still SO much left to do!
If you have a mental illness, the feelings of overwhelm and burnout can come on especially quick with these changes and transitions in the schedule. Even if you don’t have a mental illness, transitions, change, and unexpected challenges can lead to tons of stress and overwhelm.
When I did my student teaching, I remember the feelings of stress associated with being a teacher. You just never know what to expect when you walk into a classroom—both the teachers and students. Whether you’re in high school, in college, are a teacher, or a 9-5 worker, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the amount of things you have to do. And now that August is here and we’re more than halfway through the year, you might look at your 2019 goals and think, I haven’t done anything!!!
First off, take a deep breath and know that it’s OK. To help put things into perspective, here are some helpful tips to avoid overwhelm and burnout—because they’re both VERY real problems. Overwhelm/burnout can lead to total mental, physical, and emotional exhaustion. It can cause depression and even suicidal thoughts. So… to stay sane and happy, here are a couple of tips to help you avoid overwhelm and burnout.
Stop. Breathe.
With all the commotion of our everyday lives, when was the last time you stopped and took a deep breath? When was the last time you did a really good stretch? Cuddled with your spouse? Closed your eyes for a couple of minutes? Soaked in a tub? Took a nap? Or took a nice long drink of water?
We can get so absorbed in our lives, phones, our work, that we forget the things that matter most. Stillness can help us get out of the floating headspace and re-ground our bodies and minds.
Take a moment to get out in nature and smell the fresh air. Listen to a meditation podcast. Snuggle with your loved one. Remember the most important things in your life and breathe it all in.
What’s on your mind?
One SUPER helpful thing to try is writing lists. This may sound so basic but it really works! Some people call it a brain dump. All you have to do is write a list of the things on your mind. You can then number them, with #1 being the most important thing to do or get done.
Overwhelm and burnout usually comes on because we spend so much time storing information in our brain… when, really, an easier way to let that all go is simply writing it down.
I’m literally baffled by people who don’t use planners. “HOW do you stay organized?” I wonder. Or how can they possibly remember all the things they need to do? My solution to the brain chaos is having a planner and organizing my life.
I imagine mental notes as things in a room. The more stuff you hold onto, the stuffier the room gets. By writing down your thoughts and mental notes, it’s like letting go of all the clutter in the brain “room” so you can focus on the things that matter most. Whatever you have to write on, do it and let all those thoughts free!
What are the most important things?
Like the first tip, overwhelm and burnout are usually caused by fixing our view on things less important. Sometimes we might even procrastinate the things that bring us the greatest joy (here’s one of my favorite TED talks about this). Whether you “plan” on one day budgeting, on improving a relationship with a loved one, working out, or whatever else that brings joy and meaning into life, today is the best day to start. Everytime I want to procrastinate something that will bring me satisfaction and joy, I think of this:
One day or Day one. You decide. Click To TweetIt doesn’t matter that we’re more than halfway through the year, or if you’ve already “failed” your New Years Resolution. What matters is that you try. Better late than never. Choose to let this be the last day of your procrastinating the most important things in life.
Prioritize. Plan. Pray.
The 3 P’s can really improve your life. Similar to brain dumping, just write out all the things you have to do and then prioritize. Prioritize the things that matter most in your life and what goals you want to accomplish, and then make plans to do them! Finally, pray for help from God. I’m a firm believer that if you pray for something and follow through with it to show you’re putting forth your effort, then the good things will happen. I also believe that if it’s not the right path for you, God will let you know. He can also help you feel comfort in times of huge stress. I’ve found that when I pray, I receive impressions of things I need to stop worrying about—because, in the long run, they’re usually things that won’t matter at all.
If life gets too hard to stand… kneel. Click To Tweet
Stay organized – clean up as you go
To be totally honest, I sometimes get overwhelmed with dishes and household chores. They just feel like extra things to do on top of my usual duties of blogging, writing, and my day job. My husband helps me with stuff, but I’m kind of OCD so everything has to be clean—no dishes in the sink before I leave for work, no crumbs on the floors, etc… To help me avoid overwhelm when it comes to the “busy” stuff, I’ve learned to clean as I go.
While you’re cooking, clean up the dishes you used to cook, and then after you’re done eating you have WAY less dishes to wash! When you finish the loads of laundry and have a big basket of clothes waiting to be folded, set a time to do it—I like to take breaks between my blogging/writing and I just do it then. The more you plan ahead and set time for things, the easier it will all be for you in the long run!
Take advantage of your mornings
It seems that every person I’ve met has admitted that mornings are the most productive time of their day. I find this is the same for me. I have a morning routine where I get plenty of things done and enjoy it too! Morning routines can be joyful, exciting, and just set the right mood for your day. If you don’t have a morning routine, I encourage you to try one and stick to it—you might even surprise yourself with how much you enjoy it!
I hope these tips help with the overwhelm and burnout you experience. Remember that you still have time—you always have time—to improve and reach your goals. By slowing down, recognizing the things that matter most in your life, and breathing, you’ll be surprised by how much more you get done! And how fulfilled you will feel.
E ho’omau! You got this!
With joy and aloha,
Lei
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