Overcoming the Feeling of Overwhelm

by John Nolan
28th April 2025

Overwhelm is a state of emotional and physical exhaustion that arises from chronic and unresolved stress over time. It’s not limited to the workplace and can affect individuals in various roles. When someone feels overwhelmed, their mind is often overloaded with everything they need to do.

Mentally, someone experiencing overwhelm is likely to have scattered thoughts and feel like they are not in control. They may experience:

Difficulty focusing and concentrating.
A sense of mental clutter and racing thoughts.
Negative self-talk and pessimistic views.
Irritability and increased emotional reactivity.
A feeling of being unable to cope with demands.
In severe cases, the mind might shut down, leading to memory issues.

Physically, overwhelm can manifest as:

Persistent fatigue and low energy.
Physical tension, such as a knot in the stomach.
Feeling constantly rushed and under time pressure.
Symptoms related to the nervous and immune systems.

An overwhelm coach can help someone regain control by providing tools and strategies to manage and reduce feelings of overwhelm. This often involves:

Identifying the specific causes and symptoms of the individual’s overwhelm.
Teaching techniques to reduce the emotional charge associated with overwhelming situations, such as using the Power of Neutral tool.
Guiding the individual in increasing heart rhythm coherence through practices like breathing ease and calm.
Helping them to “take the significance out” of overwhelming situations to reduce their perceived pressure.
Facilitating the development of assertiveness and boundary-setting skills to prevent overcommitment.
Supporting the individual in prioritising tasks and responsibilities to feel more in control.
Encouraging self-care practices to recharge emotional and physical energy.
Assisting in shifting perspective to see challenges as less insurmountable.

Summary of Overwhelm Coach: An overwhelm coach assists individuals in recognising the roots and signs of their overwhelm. They equip clients with practical techniques to manage immediate feelings of being overwhelmed, develop stronger boundaries, improve assertiveness, and cultivate resilience to prevent future occurrences, ultimately helping them regain a sense of control and balance in their lives.

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