Ways To Help Wyomingites Who Are Feeling Overwhelmed

Having been in the radio and connected to the music industry for about 30 years, I relate many life issues to songs, especially their lyrics. When you hear a song and it hits you in the middle of the feels, you wonder how the songwriter knew exactly what you're feeling at that particular moment.

Shoot, some songs may have been written with an entirely different thing in mind, but you interpret it in a way that makes more sense to you. That's the great part about music.

One song I often refer to was released by John Michael Montgomery in 1992; it's titled "Life's A Dance."

The longer I live the more I believe
You do have to give if you wanna receive
There's a time to listen, a time to talk
And you might have to crawl even after you walk

Had sure things blow up in my face
Seen the long-shot win the race
Been knocked down by the slammin' door
Picked myself up and came back for more

A new study by AMFM Mental Health Treatment shows that nearly half in Wyoming regularly feel mentally overwhelmed.

I've learned that even the toughest person sometimes needs time to reset and recover.  According to BetterHelp.Com, if you're feeling overwhelmed, there are some things that can help you when you've been knocked down by a slamming door.

Starting small
Start with the easiest tasks on your to-do list and work your way through them slowly.

Relaxing your body
Sometimes, it helps to start by managing overwhelm's effects on your body. You might consider practicing deep breathing exercises, yoga, or a few minutes of meditation to center your thoughts and ground yourself in the present.

Resting
Making time to rest may give you breathing room and help you approach stressors with a fresh perspective.

Stepping back
Taking a short break may give you a chance to reframe your thoughts and process what you’re feeling.

Journaling
Journaling can help you sort through your thoughts and emotions, especially when you feel stressed or overwhelmed. In fact, a 2018 study found that certain journaling techniques were associated with reductions in symptoms of anxiety and depression, as well as increased resilience.

Practicing prioritization
Consider delegating a task to a coworker, putting a few clients on a waiting list, or focusing on only the most important chores to free up space on your agenda.

Reaching out for help
Outside support may help when you feel too overwhelmed to do anything. Reach out to a friend or family member, or join a support group for others experiencing similar situations.

Remember, Life's a dance; you learn as you go. Sometimes you lead, and sometimes you follow.

How do you cope with feeling overwhelmed? Let me know HERE