3 Ways to Stay Emotionally Healthy During Times of Overwhelm

We’re living life in a state of overwhelm and you may feel like you’re in a downward spiral emotionally that has no end.

Day after day we’re being bombarded with negative news, socially isolated, and emotionally impacted with our personal situations.

Whether you’re at home with a house full of family members or at home alone, you may find yourself getting easily irritated with others because of your current situation.

Sure, you can connect with others through technology, but it’s not the same as going out with friends, laughing, and having a fun time. Zoom is great, but it lacks that personal atmosphere. 

To recognize your emotional state is your first step toward keeping yourself emotionally healthy.

Make a commitment to yourself to take steps today to make your emotional health a priority.

What you can do today

Taking steps to keep yourself healthy emotionally is your first line of defense against overwhelm.

Negative to Positive

We are living in a crisis that no one knows how to handle effectively. There’s a lot of negative emotions that tend to take over our emotions throughout the day.

Your goal is to turn those negative emotions into positive emotions.

• Rather than saying or thinking “I’ve got to”, switch to “I get to”
• Start forgiving yourself for those moments of irritability and anger. Don’t dwell on the negative.
• Reach out to your friends, they’re in this mess too, and lift each other up.
• Spend time meditating each day.

Take control of Stress

Life in general can bring about stress, but this is more than many of us can handle.

You may feel like you’re in stress overload and not sure how to take control of your stress. Follow these steps to manage your stress.

• Go to bed and get some sleep. Try for at least 7 hours per night. Take a 20- minute nap during the day.
• Exercise daily. Walking is a simple exercise that you can do even if you’re not allowed to get outside. Try for at least 10 minutes of exercise throughout the day. Your mood will get a boost and you’ll sleep better at night.
• Develop a routine for this time at home. Schedule some fun projects throughout your day.
• Keep a gratitude journal and write three things your grateful for at the end of each day.
• Learn to relax. Try meditation or simple yoga to help relax your mind and emotions.

Mindfulness

How are you coping during this time?

Being mindful of yourself is a healthy start in staying healthy emotionally. We usually go through our day with little regard to what is going on within us, so this will take a level of commitment that you may find challenging. Grow in mindfulness with the following ideas.

• Breathe – when you begin to feel overwhelmed, breathe through your nose and count to 4 as your do. Hold your breath for 1 second and then exhale through your mouth while counting to 5.
• Nature – if you can, get outside and enjoy nature. Breathe deeply and allow your worries and stress to evaporate. If you are not able to go outside, throw open the curtains and let as much sunlight in as possible. Natural light will boost your mood better than artificial light.
• Self-care – take time for you. Listen to your body and respond. If you need some alone time, take it. You’re not being selfish; you’re being smart and pro-active in taking care of yourself.

Living in constant overwhelm is never healthy. This crisis will end, and we’ll be back out into the world that may or may not look different than it did when we started. Set your sights on staying healthy both mentally and physically by exercising not only your physical body but your mental well-being too.