• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
SCOUT AND BEX

SCOUT AND BEX

Christian Lifestyle Blog

  • Home
  • about us
  • Contact
    • Newsletter Sign Up
  • Categories
    • Faith
    • Guides
    • Travel
      • LA
    • Journals
      • Scout
    • Here Are A Few of My Favorite Things

Overcome Overwhelm

November 3, 2019

Overcome Overwhelm by Scout and Bex

 

Some days, I wake up ready to take on the world. I feel prepared and confident and even though there is a lot to do, I know I can tackle it. Other mornings, I wake up feeling the crushing weight of life. I know I’m not the only one. The APA (American Psychiatric Association) did a study in 2018 that revealed that Millennials are the most anxious generation over other age groups. By listening to others, I’m learning that anxiety exists within us all. My anxiety often times has similar undertones to what other people describe. The tricky part is it manifests in a multitude of ways. One of these ways is overwhelm.

 

Overwhelm can look like not being able to put my to-do’s on a list. It can look like having the list and being too overwhelmed to start. Being in a state of overwhelm can be getting too far down one road and standing in the middle of the crossroads, not knowing how to get out.

 

Some of my triggers are:

A dirty apartment

Too long of a to-do list

Having too many social engagements and not enough time at home

Exhibiting unhealthy behaviors such as eating junk food or not exercising enough

Not spending enough time with Scout

Lacking in my quiet time with God

 

Everyone is different and our triggers are going to look different. I am by no means an expert. In fact, I am just learning how to recognize my triggers and how to get out of the feeling of overwhelm before it turns into a full-on depression or anxiety episode. What I’ve come to realize is that there is hope. It is not a fluke that I just “happened” to get out of these panic modes. There is a method to the madness.

 

I am still smack dab in the middle of this journey. Usually, I will wait until I’m on the other side of something to fully share. It sometimes can feel premature to share something that isn’t completely fleshed out. But when it comes to anxiety, it is forever changing and morphing into something new. Waiting to the end isn’t going to help anyone. So today, I’m going to share with you what steps I am currently taking to get out of my own head and halt the feelings of overwhelm before they overtake.

 

 

Steps to Actively Halt Overwhelm

 

Breathe. Take some good deep breaths. 

It’s better if you can be still and quiet but if you can’t, just take in a few really deep, slow breaths. If I can recognize the overwhelm coming on, I try to take deep breaths immediately. If you breathe shallowly, it will trigger more anxious feelings within your body.

 

Pray. 

Before anything else can continue, I call on the Lord to help me through. I pray for His guidance, His wisdom, and His calming presence.

 

Focus. 

My biggest trigger for overwhelm is my long to-do list. I think about the fact that I don’t have enough time to get everything done that I need to. But if I can recognize this train of thought, I remember this mantra: be where your feet are planted. So often, I’m thinking 10 steps ahead. I’ll be walking Scout and thinking about how later in the day, I need to get the laundry done and pay this or that bill. Having this mindset not only manifests feelings of overwhelm but it robs you of the current moment.

While walking Scout, I’m not thinking about the fresh air or how he’s enjoying his time outside. No, instead I’m thinking about the laundry and how I’m not going to have time to do whatever else is on the never-ending list. Be where your feet are planted. You have allotted the time to do whatever you’re currently doing. Be in the present moment and forget the rest. If you’ve planned things out or know what’s on your list, be present with each task and then move on to the next when it’s time to.

 

Dump everything out.

Write out a to-do list. Write morning pages where you just let your stream of consciousness flow. Sit down and write out a journal entry. Release everything from your mind so you can organize it and move forward.

 

Move.

This can be walking your dog, doing a hike, practicing yoga, hitting the gym. Whatever. Doing something physical can take us out of our mental space because we have to think about what we’re physically doing. If you do any of these things regularly, try switching up the routine. If it’s something we can be on autopilot for, that isn’t going to change our mental space so switch it up.

 

Take care.

Drink water. Take a bubble bath. Eat your veggies. Put on a face mask. This doesn’t necessarily help me while I’m in an episode of overwhelm but it does help me prevent ones in the future. If I have managed to take care of myself, it makes me feel all the more capable to take care of my house, my dog, my job, my whatever.

 

Talk it out.

Sometimes when I feel overwhelmed, I also feel extremely isolated. Make sure to have someone on speed dial that you can call up or text when you need an encouraging word. For me, my mom is always at the ready to talk things through or to encourage me in the challenges I’m facing. It’s so important to have a support system and then to call on them when the overwhelm is too…well…overwhelming.

 

Prioritize.

Sometimes, I’ll let my list overtake me. I list every single thing I could possibly do and it all makes it on the list. There is no need to overwhelm yourself unnecessarily. Prioritize. What needs to be done today? What has the greatest impact or consequence if it happens or if it doesn’t? Give yourself two goals for the day. Maybe that’s walking the dog and laundry. Maybe it’s cleaning the house and catching up on the book for bible study. It could be errands and watering the plants. Pick two and then once those are done, you’ve accomplished those and you can choose what next on your list to pick up.

 

Plan.

Block out how much time each thing will take on your calendar. Realize there isn’t enough time in the day for everything. Have realistic goals and expectations for yourself. You can not do everything in 1 day. Take a task and break it down into bite-sized pieces. Chip away at the task rather than trying to do it all at once.

 

Listen.

Listen to the birds outside or the kids playing in the park. Take in the sound of the wind in the trees. Play some music that speaks to your soul. I have a playlist for everything. Music really affects my mood, feelings, state of mind. When I need to get back to my natural order, I play one of my playlists that makes me feel grounded. I let it seep in. I close my eyes, listen, and take some deep breaths. I’m doing this right now and I know it’s all going to be okay. If you need a playlist to get you started, I like to listen to Spotify’s Relax and Unwind playlist. It’s magic for this anxious heart.

 

 

 

What about you?

How are you overcoming overwhelm? What tricks do you use to get yourself back to the natural order of things?

I hope you found something in this article. I pray that you take the time to navigate your overwhelm and your anxiety and that you recognize that nothing is wrong with you. It’s not that you can’t deal with it or that you aren’t strong enough. I’ve battled with these thoughts myself but those are hurtful words, not productive ones. You’ve got this. I believe in you. And if you ever need someone to talk you through, pray for you, or to understand, I’m here.

Give yourself grace. Grace and time. You are a beautiful human being. Separate out the important and go from there.

 

 

Remember.

17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

2 Corinthians 4:17-18

 

Our greater purpose is found in Him. Call on this verse when you lose sight of the greater purpose.

 

You’ve got this,

scout and bex

Overcome Overwhelm by Scout and Bex

 

 

Don’t miss out!

 

 

Join my mailing list!

 

 

 

Share this post

Filed Under: Faith, Guides Tagged With: anxiety, every day tips, managing anxiety, overcome overwhelm, overwhelm, tips

Read More

9 Steps for a Digital Detox

Instantly Decrease Your Anxiety

Pikes Peak

10 Ways to Help Save the Planet

Finding Balance and Staying Connected

Am I Christian Enough?
Thrive (Don’t Just Survive) The Holidays Single

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

@SCOUTANDBEX 
⬆️When Colorado makes you think it’ll be Spr ⬆️When Colorado makes you think it’ll be Spring

It snowed that night❄️
Spring in Colorado❄️ Spring in Colorado❄️
Women are fearless beautiful smart talented strong Women are
fearless
beautiful
smart
talented
strong
faithful
courageous
tenacious
fighters
wonderful
wise
And soulful

There are women who came before and women who will come after. I have gratitude for the past, hope for the future, and inspiration for the now.

I for one am happy to be on the roster. We’ve got one kick ass team💪🏻

(Tagged some women who I love dearly and inspire me daily:
@mamaronna @warnersisterdot @jmgrant2016 @aliciabellingham @caitlincierrac @braunygirl @craynoel @lovejasreed @hayleybeisler @christinebean33 @megsmcshane @megs616 @gabyydubee @zoraidaaa @ashwikstrom @maddieboehme @elise_scanlan @seaangeljenn @lozzermezzer @_caitlinsands_ @calliefromthevalli @adrie11 @samui502 @flyerthanabyrd22 @gizzierascal )
🌙But tell me, did the wind sweep you off your f 🌙But tell me, did the wind sweep you off your feet?
Did you finally get the chance
To dance along the light of day (Light of day)
And head back toward the Milky Way?
And tell me, did you sail across the sun?
Did you make it to the Milky Way
To see the lights all faded
And that heaven is overrated?
Tell me, did you fall from a shooting star?
One without a permanent scar
And did you miss me while you were
Looking for yourself?💫
✨Now that she's back from that soul vacation Tra ✨Now that she's back from that soul vacation
Tracing her way through the constellation, hey, mmm
She checks out Mozart while she does Tae-Bo
Reminds me that there's room to grow, hey, yeah
Now that she's back in the atmosphere
I'm afraid that she might think of me as
Plain ol' Jane told a story about a man
Who was too afraid to fly so he never did land

But tell me, did the wind sweep you off your feet?
Did you finally get the chance
To dance along the light of day
And head back to the Milky Way?
And tell me, did Venus blow your mind?
Was it everything you wanted to find?
And did you miss me while you were
Looking for yourself out there?🌙
🪐Now that she's back in the atmosphere With dro 🪐Now that she's back in the atmosphere
With drops of Jupiter in her hair
She acts like summer and walks like rain
Reminds me that there's a time to change, hey
Since the return of her stay on the moon
She listens like spring and she talks like June, hey
Hey, hey-yeah

But tell me, did you sail across the sun?
Did you make it to the Milky Way
To see the lights all faded
And that heaven is overrated?
And tell me, did you fall from a shooting star?
One without a permanent scar
And did you miss me while you were
Looking for yourself out there?🌌

  • Home
  • about us
  • Contact
Copyright © 2020 2021 SCOUT AND BEXBack to Top