Overwhelmed by life... what works?

[BluMac81]

Who else feels like this...
So much so much to do, so little time.
The pressure is on so hard.
Overwhelmed by life's demands.

I know there are others.

So I wonder if what I did was healthy.
After running off of 4 hours sleep and doing a 9 hour horrible boring job...i come home to find my to-do list overflowing with things that must be done...
Here comes the anxiety, the stress, that sense of being overwhelmed.

I'm ever so familiar with that feeling.

So I took a walk & jog, phone my mother, came back home showered and popped 4mg xanax. I do have to say I feel less stressed now. But the lingering overflowing to-do list in the back of my head still nags at me, its just that I'm okay with it doing that. Hmm....

 

[Halo]

Re: Overwhelmed by life.... what works

Blumac,

I think that we all feel overwhelmed and stressed at time with the never ending list of things to do. What I am wondering though is how much on your list is things that really need to be done or are they things that you are putting pressure on yourself thinking that you "should" get them done. I guess what I am saying is what is "absolutely necessary" that you get done? A suggestion to try and make the list less overwhelming is to narrow it down to only the tasks crucial to being completed that day.

Also, when you said that you popped 4mg of Xanax, is that the prescribed dose of meds or was this more than the prescribed? I ask because I use to be take more than prescribed of my meds too in order to help me deal with being overwhelmed with stress, anxiety etc. but what I found was that it in fact brought on more anxiety and stress and overwhelming feelings the next day which would in turn would end up repeating the cycle all over again.

Anyway...just some thoughts.

Take care

 

[prayerbear]

I used to feel that way when I was working.I used to be very hard on myself, but I aged by 15 years and now I am kind to myself and I agree with the walking for stress relief.
I walk an hour everyday to lose weight and to help relieve OCD and PTSD symptoms.
I am now on disability and love my life!

prayerbear

 

[Into The Light]

i can relate. i know this is difficult but you need to try and let go of that big to do list and replace it with a small list. also, on the days that you can't accomplish anything, recognize that your energy has been spent for that day and give yourself time to recharge. i'm slowly learning myself to realize that just because today i didn't get anything extra done, it doesn't mean that another day i won't. some days i have extra energy and then i do the extra things. those are bonus days

what about coming home and not looking at that to do list?

 

[Into The Light]

i realize you've asked about the to do list problem before and that you have difficulty letting go of it. so here's another look at it. what would you say if a friend came to you with the exact same list and was all stressed out about it?

 

[Daniel E.]

I feel less stressed now. But the lingering overflowing to-do list in the back of my head still nags at me,

What I used to tell my sibling: No matter what happens, you aren't going to go hungry. Similarly, I would tell my mom: all you have to do is stay hydrated/nourished -- everything else is optional.

It didn't help them, but I found it calming

 

[BluMac81]

i realize you've asked about the to do list problem before and that you have difficulty letting go of it. so here's another look at it. what would you say if a friend came to you with the exact same list and was all stressed out about it?

Haha interesting question, made me think...

I would tell them to learn to prioritize and cut out the unimportant stuff, and to schedule only what you have time for keeping in mind enjoyment of life comes first, so take breaks.

What I used to tell my sibling: No matter what happens, you aren't going to go hungry. Similarly, I would tell my mom: all you have to do is stay hydrated/nourished -- everything else is optional.

It didn't help them, but I found it calming

Ahh good advice. Everything else is optional. Well, I don't know about cases where people are relying on you for your support (like parents and children). Like I don't think its optional for a mother to feed a newborn baby. So there are exceptions. But I guess in my case where all I care for is myself, and my pursuits towards self-actualization lead me to neglect physiological needs and even... SI... that advice is definitely applicable. A big part about it is the guilt. I'll remember your advice.... Thanks

 

[Into The Light]

I would tell them to learn to prioritize and cut out the unimportant stuff, and to schedule only what you have time for keeping in mind enjoyment of life comes first, so take breaks.

excellent advice. do you think you might be able to apply that yourself? (you had to see that one coming )

A big part about it is the guilt.

now that's interesting. what makes you feel guilty about it?

 

[Into The Light]

It didn't help them, but I found it calming

did you find it calming for you when you told them that? :lol: or did you mean when you were trying to get yourself to let go of things?