(Photo copyright T.Smithers.2026)

TOP TIPS FOR WAYS TO COPE WHEN LIFE FEELS OVERWHELMING AND TOO MUCH TO DEAL WITH..

 

Sometimes life can be difficult, challenging, and overwhelming. Perhaps there is one thing that leads you to feel that way, or maybe it’s a combination of things that creep up on you over time. Whatever ‘stuff’ is calling you to feel this way, it can be both mentally and physically exhausting and have an impact on emotional well-being.

Today I wanted to share some top tips to help you manage when you feel this way.

 

1. STOP- TAKE A BREAK-ASK FOR HELP.
2. Take some deep breaths in and out. When you exhale, release and let go of any tension or stress you are feeling.
3. Drink some water.
4. Play some relaxing music.
5. If you can go for a walk or spend some time outdoors.
6. Write down how you are feeling. If you aren’t a writer, try doodling or drawing.
7. Spend 2 minutes listening to the sounds around you, noticing where you are and the sights, sounds, textures, and smells around you. WHAT DO YOU NOTICE?
8. SIMPLIFY what you feel you ‘have’ to do? Is there anything that can wait? Can you speak to someone about how you are feeling? Can you seek support with anything you need to do?
9. Have an early night.
10. THINK about your favourite holiday or day out. Where were you? What were you doing? How did you feel? I would like to invite you now to take a few minutes to close your eyes and visualise that special time. If you were there now, what would you most like to be doing? Take time to soak up that feeling, and when you are ready, open your eyes. At any time you feel overwhelmed, you have the ability take yourself back to that special place for a while.
11. TALK TO SOMEONE.
12. GIVE YOURSELF MORE TIME-If you are feeling overwhelmed with your to do list, LOOK AT if there is anything you can delay, postpone, or cancel. It’s okay to do this!
13. TAKE TIME TO MAKE DECISIONS. Allow yourself the time and breathing space to make decisions and choices right for you. It’s okay to ask people for extra time, or time to think about things. It’s okay to say, ‘can I get back to you about that.’
14. DO SOMETHING YOU ENJOY.
15. REMEMBER TO EAT! Having a balanced meal and hydrated is especially important when feeling overwhelmed.
16. Have a bath or a shower.
17. Do something CREATIVE. IF NOT CREATIVE SOMETHING THAT YOU FIND FUN!
18. Spend some time being ACTIVE.
19. Think about what YOU NEED at this time. DO YOU NEED HELP WITH ANYTHING? WHO COULD YOU ASK? YOU YOU NEED TO TALK TO ANYONE? WHO COULD YOU TALK TOO? WHAT 3 THINGS CAN YOU DO TO HELP MAKE LIFE LESS OVERWHELMING RIGHT NOW.
20. BE KIND TO YOURSELF!