3 Fast, Innovative Solutions for Feeling Overwhelmed at Work

Some days we come to work and it feels like it just won't stop. Our to-do lists are growing, emails are piling up and meetings are taking over the day. With so many things to do, it's no wonder we're feeling overwhelmed at work. 

We try all kinds of tactics and helpful advice: set boundaries, delegate tasks, prioritize tasks, try tackling smaller tasks or the most important tasks first, but sometimes…none of that works and we still feel overwhelmed. And being overwhelmed results in us feeling stressed, which can take a toll on our mental health.

Let’s talk about three unconventional approaches for what to do when the overwhelm takes over.

1) Embrace Feeling Overwhelmed

It may sound counterintuitive, but it can be incredibly helpful to embrace feeling overwhelmed at work. When we push away something that's painful, it can get even bigger in our minds and build up in importance. But when we bring it out into the open, it becomes more tolerable.

Sit quietly and take a few deep breaths of fresh air to release tension. Then think about feeling overwhelmed. Where do you feel it in your body? In your chest? Your stomach? Are there stories and thoughts racing around in your head? Relax and allow it. Allow yourself to feel the physical and mental sensations, breathing into and around them. Be okay with the moment as it is, without needing to change it. And if you need to cry, get mad, punch a pillow, do it.

The idea is to surface the way we are feeling overwhelmed at work and not resist it. And if you feel like it's too much, take a few deep breaths to recenter yourself. By allowing our feelings to surface, they soften and lose their grip.

2) Get Curious About What’s Going On

Now, get curious. Without judging yourself, ask questions. Why am I feeling overwhelmed at work? Why is this a problem? What is causing the overwhelm? What would happen if I wasn't feeling overwhelmed? Can I do anything about it? How do I want to feel? What could I do to solve it that I haven't done before?

It's not necessarily about coming up with a solution at this point. It's just getting curious about your thoughts about feeling overwhelmed at work and what might be lying at the source. For instance, in doing this self-exploration, we may discover we have unrealistic expectations of ourselves, or think we're the only ones who can complete certain tasks.

3) Respond Mindfully

Now ask yourself: what's one thing I can do to make this situation better? It can be more effective to take small steps to reduce feeling overwhelmed at work, rather than feeling you need to tackle it in one go.

One helpful trick can be affirmations: ways of reprogramming your brain and body into reducing the way you are feeling overwhelmed at work. Statements like: This is the life I’ve dreamed of, and people are coming to me because they value my opinion. What a great position to be in! 

By finding ways to surface our feelings and respond mindfully, we're better able to find productive ways of handling overwhelm and viewing it with curiosity instead of anxiety.