When was the last time you felt overwhelmed? My guess is not that long ago. Parenthood and all that comes with it is overwhelming. There is no getting around it.
Feeling overwhelmed can hit you at any time. When you have chosen to stay at home with your little ones and not go back to work, yet all of your mum friends have returned. Or it can hit when you get home from work to a messy house and nothing in for dinner and you feel as if you are failing on all fronts.
It is hard to find the right balance for your family. It's overwhelming.
Trust us when we say that we have been there. More frequently than most of us admit. But there are things you can do when you’re feeling this way. Sometimes you just have to ride it out but other times you can get yourself out of it before you spiral.
The first place to start, when you begin to feel that way is to remember:
- You will get through this.
- All is not lost.
- This is only temporary.
How to cope when you feel overwhelmed:
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Breathe
A common feeling when overwhelmed is a loss of control. You can feel like you have too much on your plate and far more than you believe you can handle. One thing you can quickly realise that you can control is your breath.
Close your eyes and focus on your breathing. Feel it circle your body, from your nose right down to the bottom of your lungs. You instantly feel even just a fraction calmer.
This can also be helpful in the middle of a major toddler tantrum. Take yourself to another room and simply breathe. You will go back into your toddler with a much calmer response. -
Move
We hear it all time but exercise is one of most effective stress relievers. It can be difficult to exercise with small children but try to get creative. You could dance around your living room with the kids, do some light stretches, run up and down the stairs 5 times. Anything that will get the blood flowing and clear your head.
![How To Cope With Feeling Overwhelmed]()
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Hydrate
This is another tip we hear all the time but staying hydrated is vital for your physical and emotional wellbeing. Dehydration is a massive trigger for all kinds of negative emotions. Make a point of drinking one glass of water an hour. Set your alarm if you think you might forget. It will help, we are sure of it.
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Write a to do list and complete one task
Often we can allow our thoughts to make us feel overwhelmed. So many thoughts all flying around your head, not knowing where to even begin prioritising them. Write them down. Get them out of your head and onto paper. Prioritise them and try to just get one thing ticked off the list.
