Overcome Your Overwhelm

Take a deep breath, count to ten, and tackle each task one step at a time.  –Linda Shalaway

Let’s face it, life can be overwhelming.  For many of us that struggle with emotional eating, feeling overwhelmed can be a trigger to find a food escape.  There was a commercial a few years ago for bath salts by Calgon.  Their angle in the commercial was “Calgon, take me away” and showed a woman overwhelmed and stressed out slipping into a luxurious bath with Calgon.   When we become overwhelmed, food can be our own personal Calgon.   For us, “___________ (you fill in the blank with your food choice), take me away.”  For a very short, temporary time, food does allow the escape and to be taken away.

A strategy to overcome the overwhelm of a day is to break it down into something more manageable.  Whether the cause is a range of feelings and an increasing feeling of overwhelm, break it down.  “I feel ______________ (anger, sad, scared, anxious, etc.)” and take one at a time.  Many times if we can identify what we are feeling, it is more manageable and not larger than life.  If you have a full day of projects or things to do, break it down into smaller tasks.  Sometimes the bigger picture is too big.  Breaking down feelings or situations allows us to be able to feel in control and empowered rather than a victim of being overwhelmed.

When you feel overwhelmed, find the ultimate escape you are looking for inside of yourself.  Don’t allow your overwhem to control you.  Take control of your overwhelm through the strategy of breaking it down.  You will overcome overwhelm!!

All the best,
Cathy