Due to a number of things going on at the moment I have found myself feeling very stressed and overwhelmed. Sometimes things are out of our control so we can't take away the stressful factor. In these cases the only thing we can do is push through and try to stay as calm as possible. These are a few things I have found have helped me and just things to remember in general...
1. Look After Yourself
Self-care can take the back burner when things are hectic or overwhelming. I am someone who forgets to eat when they are busy, which is not good. I also sacrifice sleep, be it through working late or not being able to sleep due to overthinking. Eating and sleeping are two vital parts of our health and should be put before anything. I am still someone who skips lunch when they are doing a lot, but I really am working on it.
2. Take A Moment
When you are on the edge of panic, you need to learn drop what you're doing and take a moment to calm down. You are not going to do anything productive in this time and you are doing more harm than good, so it is crucial to just lay down or do something relaxing for a few minutes. If I'm at my desk I will often open a YouTube video and after the ten minutes have passed I will often feel more level headed and ready to continue with the task at hand. Any activity you enjoy where there is no room to think will help in the very same way.
3. Write It Down
There is nothing that soothes my overwhelmed soul like a list. Breaking big tasks down into bite-sized portions is a tip I have always stuck by and truly believe in. Not only does the task seem more manageable this way, but you have more things to cross off your list, giving you a motivational boost. A big ten page long to-do list can also induce panic, so breaking your lists up on a day-by-day basis so you delegate X tasks to this day and Y tasks to this day makes everything seem so much more manageable. I really love the app "Todoist" as you can do just that and even plan to-dos months in advanced and set notifications if necessary. It's a great way to feel on top of your week and you can access it at any given time through apps and their web version!
4. Say No
There are some instances where saying no comes easily and others where it doesn't seem like an option at all. This is highly subjective, but if you are feeling overwhelmed do not volunteer to do something because you feel guilty. Sometimes you have to put yourself and your tasks first, and while it can be hard, it is necessary.
5. Reward Yourself
During exam periods I tend to not leave enough room to wind down and have me-time as I see it as time not spent studying. It is so important to set aside time in every day just to do something for you, even if it's just taking a bath. These are the times where we relax and let go off what it building up anxiety wise, so it is crucial and should be prioritised.
What do you do when you seem to be reaching the point of panic and how do you wind yourself down?
