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In my last ShareWIK post, I talked about how we sometimes need to give ourselves permission to rest.  But as one of my coaching clients pointed out, sometimes it isn’t about getting more rest: it’s about finding ways to feel less overwhelmed. Good point!

If you’re like many of my coaching clients, you may feel overwhelmed when life “becomes” crazy busy. While we can’t always control the circumstances in our life, the one thing we can control is the way we respond to the stressful situations in our life. So, whether you’re a single mom who’s caring for an aging parent, or a busy professional who’s launching a job search after being laid-off, you can find ways to manage stress, so you feel more peaceful and less overwhelmed. And the great part is that when we feel more peaceful, we are often more energetic and productive in all aspects of our life.

Listed below are five tips to deal with that nagging sense of overwhelm when it strikes:

1)   Make a List – Sometimes, when our lives feel out of control it’s because we’re worried about all the things we have to do today, tomorrow and next month, rather than focusing on what has to happen right now. But when these random tasks are swishing around in our mind, it can become distracting and overwhelming. So next time you feel that way, make a list of all the tasks you need to accomplish. By doing so, you’ll be able to see, in black and white what needs to be done, and you will be freeing your mind of all the senseless chatter that often drains us of energy.

2)   First Things First – Once you’ve created your list of tasks, decide what needs to be completed first. Assign a deadline to each task. Some due dates will be obvious, But others will be less so. Determine what needs to be done today. Not tomorrow or the next day, but today. Write down this list on a separate piece of paper. By prioritizing your life, you will see (literally) that everything doesn’t have to be completed immediately. That, in itself, helps many people feel less stressed.

3)   Take Life One Minute at a Time – I’ve always thought the AA principle of taking one day at a time is a great one. Even better is this: take life one minute at a time. What I mean by this is to be in the present moment, without thinking about what you did earlier in the day or what you’re going to be doing later this evening. Just be where you are, and do what you’re doing right now. Regardless of what you’re doing, focus on the process rather than the outcome. When you notice that you’re worried about the future or fretting about the past, bring yourself back to the present moment by taking a deep cleansing breath. And remember not to beat yourself up for losing track of the present moment. You’re learning a new practice, which takes time.

4)   Yes, You Can – Sometimes, when we feel overwhelmed, it’s because we keep feeding ourselves not-so-helpful messages like “I’m never going to get this done” or “I’m an idiot for agreeing to do this.” Yet when you keep repeating that tape over and over again, it can make you feel hopeless and out of control. Instead, when you catch yourself doing this, stop the tape and change the message to a positive mantra or affirmation. Instead of saying “I’ll never get this done,” try saying this:  “I have every confidence I can finish this project by the end of the week.”  Better yet, personalize your mantra so it’s a perfect fit for you. When you repeat your affirmation, and feel it in your very being, your chances for achieving your goal are much greater.

5)   Remember to Breathe – When your whirlwind of thoughts picks up again, and you begin feeling like your life is out of control, take a deep, cleansing breath. Breathe in through your nose and observe your breath as it travels up into your abdomen and your chest, and into your throat. Watch it again as it descends from your throat, into your chest and back down into your abdomen. Continue this practice for as long as it’s helpful and comfortable. By doing so, you will be quieting your mind and relaxing your muscles.

What, in your life, causes you to feel most overwhelmed?

How would your life be different if you felt more peaceful and less overwhelmed?

I’d love to hear what you have to say. Please leave a comment here on ShareWIK.com.

Ellen Brown is a certified professional coach, based in Cleveland, OH, and a regular columnist on ShareWIK.com.  Visit her website at http://ellen-brown.com. 

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