Help! - In the Grip of Overwhelm

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Is this you:  there are too many demands made on you, you have to juggle too many tasks, you don't know where to start? Is it all simply too much at times?
In today's episode we discuss what happens when you are overwhelmed and what you can do to address this situation.

When you are overwhelmed your body and mind are in state of threat. Your fight/flight/freeze responses kick in manifesting either in anger (fight), procrastination (freeze) or avoidance (flight). The challenge in this situation is that your thinking is short circuited: your body mobilises for survival. Your sympathetic nervous systems is activated and your brain's main function is to enable you to survive through instinctual behaviour.

When we are overwhelmed the threat is perceived rather than real. It feels real to us, of course, and it may well entail real consequences if tasks at work are not completed, however, we are not at risk of dying.

In the grip of overwhelm we have to learn to ride the tidal wave that washes over us rather than getting drowned by it. The task is to develop a new attitude towards our stressors: accepting that we experience them and learning to respond differently to them.

We discuss some ways in which you may address feelings of overwhelm more effectively.

The Relationship Maze courses:
What is your argument style? Find out in our short quiz. You can find a link on our website: https://therelationshipmaze.com.

Struggling with a lot of conflict and arguments in your relationship? Learn about communicating effectively and addressing common relationship problems in our Stop Arguing, Start Loving mini course:  https://therelationshipmaze.com/relationshipconflictvsl2.

Learn everything you always wanted to know about building and maintaining  loving relationships in our comprehensive course The Relationship Maze, starting with understanding yourself in relationships to understanding your partner and understanding what makes for a successful relationship.

We look at common causes of relationship problems and offer solutions. Learn how to address relationship problems and questions without breaking up.

Related podcasts:
What happens when you 'lose your mind'? - How understanding the structure of your brain helps in conflict situations

Contact us for information about individual counselling/psychotherapy, couples therapy, clinical supervision or CPD training.
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Struggling with a lot of conflict and arguments in your relationship? Learn about communicating effectively and addressing common relationship problems in our Stop Arguing, Start Loving mini course.

Learn everything you always wanted to know about building and maintaining loving relationships in our comprehensive course The Relationship Maze, starting with understanding yourself in relationships to understanding your partner and understanding what makes for a successful relationship. We look at common causes of relationship problems and offer solutions. Learn how to address relationship problems and questions without breaking up.