How Can I Stop Feeling So Overwhelmed and Anxious?

Dear eNotAlone: I know I probably sound like I'm wallowing in self-pity, but I'm so overwhelmed it's hard for me to focus on anything else. I feel like I'm about to explode, and now I can't take it anymore. I stay up all night agonizing over my future, unable to get a clear picture on how things will turn out. I can't just sit back and take life as it comes; I always find myself worrying about the consequences of my decisions, no matter how small or insignificant they seem. It's like I'm always searching for something more; an answer that has eluded me for years. Everywhere I go I see people living carefree lives, while I struggle to do even the most basic things. People don't understand me and always think I'm making a mountain out of a molehill. How do I stop feeling so overwhelmed and anxious?

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Feeling overwhelmed is a natural part of life, and it's completely okay to be feeling this way. The first step towards helping yourself is to recognize your own thoughts and feelings, acknowledge that you are entitled to feel overwhelmed, and then practice acceptance. Acceptance entails being honest with yourself and accepting that you have no control over certain aspects of your life—even the seemingly small things. Rather than trying to control everything, try to be mindful of your bigger picture, taking time to reflect and make decisions.

This requires both patience and discipline. It's important to remember that life is not always perfect, and that sometimes even when you make the right choices, things don't go according to plan. As such, try to focus on the process of learning and growing, rather than the outcome or final product.

In addition, a crucial aspect of managing feelings of overwhelm is controlling your own level of stress. Stress can manifest itself in many ways – from allowing your workload and to-do list to spiral out of control to constantly living in fear of the unknown. Try to prioritize tasks, breaking them down into smaller, manageable pieces if necessary. This can be difficult, but it is essential for breaking up larger goals and preventing them from becoming overwhelming. simple techniques like deep breaths and stretching can help relieve tension and allow you to work more efficiently.

Learning to manage overwhelm also means gaining a self-awareness about how your stress manifests itself. This can help you identify triggers and address them in a constructive manner. By taking time out to relax and creating healthy boundaries between you and any stressors, you can better respond to those triggers in a calmer, more constructive manner.

It's important to recognize that you don't have to navigate feelings of overwhelm on your own. If talking to people or opening up doesn't come naturally to you, try starting with a friend or family member whom you trust. You could also look into talking to a therapist or life coach, who can provide objective insights and professional guidance to help you take a step back and reevaluate your actions.