Lifestyle - feeling overwhelmed video

Listen to Shelley Crawford, an EMCC Global Accredited Master Practitioner and Accredited Supervisor, talk about how to manage when you are feeling overwhelmed.. 

In this video, I'm going to talk about what is happening in your brain when you feel overwhelmed and stressed. Hi, I'm Shelley Crawford, and I'm an internationally accredited coaching psychologist and well-being trainer. There are many things that can cause us to feel overwhelmed. These feelings of overwhelm, if not addressed, may take us on a road that could lead to burnout.  

It is important to speak to a health professional about this feeling before you reach the burnout stage. How does this happen? Well, stress or pressure, as it is sometimes called, is not always a bad thing in small doses. When we feel stressed, our brain releases This is a hormone called cortisol. This hormone works with certain parts of our brain to control our mood, our motivation, and also fear. So in small doses, you can feel motivated to take action. But in larger doses or when there is continued cortisol release over a period of time, too much cortisol can make you feel overstressed. So instead of feeling motivated and energetic, you start instead to feel anxious, tired, and demotivated. If that continues for a longer period of time without you taking measures to relieve your stress, your anxiety level may then rise or you may become angry and eventually feel exhausted, demotivated, and disengaged from your life. 

 

It is really important that you see your doctor long before you feel this level of exhaustion and demotivation. Many people, when they are feeling stressed and overworked or feel like they have too much on their plate, try to multitask. You could make a few simple and conscious changes to work more efficiently and feel less overwhelmed. Interspersing an activity into your schedule that makes you feel positive and good can also relieve the feeling of overwhelm because when you feel a positive emotion, your brain releases other hormones and chemicals called dopamine and noraepinephrine. These make you feel calmer and more motivated and more engaged again.  

 

Alternatively, buy a diary or a journal and write down what has worried you or made you feel stressed during the day. Accessing professional help from a coach or therapist will also help you. Speak to a friend, take the dog for a longer walk, or insist on using some of your time to take up your favourite activity. It's important that if you feel overwhelmed again, even though you have tried to take steps to feel better, you should see your doctor who will work with you to help you manage your situation better. 

 

So remember, Verve Healthcare is here to keep you healthy and happy. If you feel you need more support or things deteriorate for you, please get hold of your doctor or otherwise, log into your Verve portal and click the link to request a survey. You will then be able to access all the support you need.