One Easy Way To Get Rid Of Overwhelm

Sometimes I get overwhelmed with all that’s going on in my life.  I start to notice that my mind is telling me that I have too much to do.  I get sidetracked by all of the little things in my life.  I get more anxious as I try to figure out how in the world I’m going to get everything done in the allotted time frame. I’m thinking about the future and whether that future is going to turn out as I planned/wanted instead of focusing on the here and now. When this happens, I know that it’s time for me to get rid of overwhelm.

Do you ever get that way?

Today’s society of being constantly on the go and over scheduling yourself contributes to this feeling of overwhelm. I find that when I’m caught up in this cycle, I forget to pay attention to what’s happening in the present moment, then I begin to lose focus of what’s really important to me.  That’s what I’m doing when I get anxious about my too long to-do list. I’m focusing on the future instead of the present and this contributes to my sense of overwhelm.

My favorite way to get rid of overwhelm

Usually when I find myself getting anxious, scattered, overwhelmed, and not able to accomplish much, the solution is to take a break.  When this happens, my favorite break consists of restorative yoga poses.  When life is getting super busy and I can’t make it turn out like I wanted, if I just stop for 30-45 minutes and practice a couple of restorative yoga poses, then I can again focus my mind. This works because restorative yoga is a type of yoga that helps to slow down your body and your mind. It helps me to rest and restore and this naturally helps me to get rid of overwhelm.

After a short break, my mind is clear and I can prioritize my needs.  The anxiety lessens and I feel more at ease.  I’m also able to recognize that all of those things on my way too long to-do list will get done one step at a time.  I don’t really have to get everything done at once.  I just have to prioritize and then do one thing at a time in order to get where I want to be.

A little awareness goes a long way…

This is a lesson that hits me every so often.  I’m still learning it, but I also recognize that my anxiety over too much to do can shift.  By practicing a little body awareness and noticing that my anxiety is making my body feel tighter and less at ease, I can recognize that this is not what I want for myself, and it’s time for a change in my behavior.

What I really want is to live life with more ease and flow.  By slowing down with a short break, I can actually remember how I want to live my life.  I can recognize what is really important on my to-do list and I can find a way forward that won’t be so stressful and filled with anxiety.  I can do this by slowing down and focusing on just the next step.

One step, one thing at a time. 

This is really a key way to get rid of overwhelm and always gets me to the place that I need to be in a way that is easier on my body and mind. Taking things one thing at a time helps me to stay in the present moment and out of the anxiety that’s created when I worry about the future.

I’ve discovered that restorative yoga is a huge help for me when I’m feeling overwhelmed or anxious.  I’m listening to my what my body is telling me when I step away from my to do list and practice a little restorative yoga.  While I know that restorative yoga isn’t the answer for everyone, it is one step that I can take that helps lead me out of overwhelm. 

What is your one step?

Everyone is different.  What works for one person may not be what another person needs to do.  Listen to your body and find your path or your next step in order to move forward with more ease and less overwhelm.  Take that path just one step at a time, listen to your body and adjust your next step accordingly.

If you’re not sure what you’re next step needs to be, schedule a discovery call with me. In each of my yoga therapy sessions, I help you to uncover what your next step is going to be. I believe that with the right support, you can take your next step forward and get rid of the overwhelm in your life too!

And remember… it’s never too late to live healthier and happier. Take that first step forward today!

Becky is a Yoga Therapist & has been teaching yoga since 2006. She loves to match people with a yoga practice that helps them to feel better every day & believes that there is a yoga practice for everyone. Click here to sign up for her mailing list & get all of the important news & tips first!