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<\/p>\nWith all that is happening in the world \u2013 or perhaps even just within your own bubble \u2013 it\u2019s not unusual to feel somewhat swamped.<\/p>\n
But, left unchecked, emotional overwhelm puts undue stress on the body which has adverse health effects.<\/p>\n
It can lead to feeling fatigued, anxious, unexplained aches and pains, as well as your immune system being less able to fight off common colds and flus.<\/p>\n
Thankfully there are simple and effective ways to keep overwhelm at bay and feel great again.<\/p>\n
Geelong wellness coach Amarra Bowkett, from The Well State, acknowledges there is nothing worse than waking up with a sense of dread and struggling to pull yourself together for a social occasion or work meeting.<\/p>\n
\u201cI certainly know what that feels like,\u201d Amarra says.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are times that I cancel and then there are times when I try some tactics I\u2019ve developed to get up and about.\u201d<\/p>\n
First up, Amarra says nothing beats breathwork to have you feeling more settled and deep belly breathing is a good place to start.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you are feeling overwhelmed it\u2019s usually because your mind has taken over, the solution is in taking back control,\u201d she advises.<\/p>\n
\u201cTake a moment to focus on your surroundings, to be mindful and feel the clothes on your body and the soles of your feet on the ground.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow, close your eyes or soften your gaze and imagine the breath you inhale, travelling all the way to the bottom of your belly, keep breathing in until you get to the top of your lungs.<\/p>\n
\u201cThen super, super slowly release the breath and imagine all those negative thoughts are exiting your body with the breath. Do this several times.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Secondly, she suggests mindfulness exercises to avoid our thoughts running away from us and getting caught up in the past or what may \u2013 or may not \u2013 happen in the future.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the present moment, there is absolutely nothing wrong, so focus on that,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can do this wherever you are.<\/p>\n
\u201cCan you feel your feet in your shoes, can you feel the seat beneath you? What do the clothes you are wearing feel like on your skin? What can you hear? Is there chatter in the office? The sound of the keys on the keyboard as you type? Is there music or the sounds of nature around you? Stop, listen and feel \u2026 all while you are focusing on your breathe.\u201d<\/p>\n
Thirdly, Amarra says it is helpful to \u201cflip the script\u201d and change the \u201cwhat ifs\u201d that might be plaguing your thoughts.<\/p>\n
She says it not uncommon that we question the future when we feel overwhelmed but, rather than beating ourselves up, we can respond with the opposite of what has us worried.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor example, what if the people reading this article don\u2019t like what I have to say?,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, what if just one person who reads this article feels like they can do one or all of these things and head out the door with confidence and a sense of calm?\u201d<\/p>\n
Her fourth tip is \u201ca problem shared is a problem halved\u201d.<\/p>\n
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There is no need to go it alone when dealing with overwhelm so trust those around you.<\/p>\n
\u201cI lean on those close to me, I tell them that I\u2019m not feeling myself and I share my worries with them,\u201d Amarra says.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have confidence that they love and care for me and won\u2019t judge me in the slightest.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor me, once those worries have left my mouth, they don\u2019t tend to hold any power over me.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Finally, Amarra insists resilience is the result of rest and believes the more rested we are, the better we can deal with bumps in the road.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t have to just put up with things,\u201d she advises.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat we need to do is say no, to put ourselves first, to rest and restore and then we have the inner resources to put one foot in front of the other.\u201d<\/p>\n
Of course, these actions do take practice so if you are feeling overwhelmed, be patient with yourself and try gradually integrating these techniques into your everyday life.<\/p>\n
All good things take time and your healthier self will definitely thank you in the long run.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
With all that is happening in the world \u2013 or perhaps even just within your own bubble \u2013 it\u2019s not unusual to feel somewhat swamped. But, left unchecked, emotional overwhelm puts undue stress on the body which has adverse health effects. It can lead to feeling fatigued, anxious, unexplained aches and pains, as well as […]<\/p>\n