Feeling Overwhelmed

I thought life would slow down after the holidays! However, somehow the year-end parties and travels seem to have been quickly replaced by school field trips, work deadlines, doctor’s appointments, and committee meetings. I’m guessing I’m not alone in longing for a quiet day to just relax!

I’m learning that I can take steps to avoid feeling completely overwhelmed by the busyness of life. I’ll provide some of those in this article, and if you have others to suggest, I hope you’ll share those here. You might find that these ideas help you personally, or can be shared as an educational tool with the individuals with whom you work.

1. Be realistic! If you always have too much on your to-do list or calendar, you’re creating an environment where you’re likely to feel constantly overwhelmed. Is there something you can skip (at least for today), or delegate to someone else? Are you spending too much time on one thing, whether it’s a worthwhile pursuit or a bit of a “time-waster?”

2. Spell it all out. Some people are better list-makers than others. But sometimes seeing it in writing can make it easier to identify things that can be eliminated and/or to designate top priority items. I email myself a “to do” list every day. I keep it up-to-date by deleting items that I’ve completed or adding new things as they develop, and I organize the list with top priority items on the top, and lower priority items at the bottom. I am assured that I won’t forget what needs to be accomplished, while I concern myself only with those things that need to be completed first. (This can also be accomplished through the use of a PDA, computer program, or paper list, but I personally find it easier to use this email system). I have gone from a month-at-a-glance calendar, where one agenda item nearly filled up the entire space for one day, to a week-at-a-glance calendar where I can more easily identify empty spaces (or free time) in my daily agenda.

3. Give yourself the gift of time. I’ll admit that I’m frequently tempted to stay in bed “just one more minute” in the morning, and to write “just one more email” before walking out the door for a meeting. However, those little details often end up making me feel like I’m rushing through my entire day, struggling to arrive or to complete a task on time. Forcing myself to get out of bed or out the door a few minutes earlier (even if I need to set my watch a few minutes ahead of the true time) can make a huge difference in the way I feel throughout the day!

4. Limit distractions. Sometimes multi-tasking or sensory overload can negatively impact our productivity. When I really want to get things done, I turn off the TV, radio, and sometimes the telephone, and remind myself not to jump up to put in another load of laundry or to sort through the mail. I’m often surprised at how quickly I can complete a task when I devote myself to it 100 percent!

5. Take care of yourself. Eating healthy foods at regular intervals, getting physical exercise, and taking time to get a breath of fresh air can greatly improve both our attitude and our ability to get things done. Take time to nurture your friendships, especially if time with friends and loved ones lifts your spirits. If you find yourself overwhelmed to the point where you are unable to accomplish anything, you may need to consider getting some outside professional assistance.

Often, we simply need to keep things in perspective. Our activities, schedules, and deadlines can be managed, (if they can’t be eliminated), with relatively simple steps so that they do not overwhelm us.

Wishing you an enjoyable week!

Laurel Hoekman, Executive Director
The Gray Center for Social Learning and Understanding

P.S. If you live near the West Michigan lakeshore, we hope you’ll join us Thursday, February 7th from 4:30-7:00 p.m. at our new Zeeland location! We’ll be hosting an open house where you’ll be able to learn more about The Gray Center and the resources we offer, as well as providing feedback for us so that we know how we can better meet your needs. You’ll receive a FREE GIFT just for participating!