Feeling overwhelmed is often
caused by having too much to
handle, mentally or emotionally.
The human brain and body are
programmed to detect danger and keep
us safe.
One body response we may experience
is 'Fight or Flight'. It is triggered by a
release of hormones. It gets us ready to
fight back, or to run to safety when it
thinks we are in danger.
This response is not needed as much in
modern life but it still happens.
Calming (also known as Grounding)
can help us 'turn down the volume' of
this response.
There are calming skills and exercises
that you can learn.
Calming skills Making use of these skills
Plan to use them when needed. When our
feelings are running high, it can be hard to
choose wisely. Be ready to remind
yourself that you want to and can control
your emotions.
Practice during calm times: this makes it
easier when emotions are high.
Pick what works for you. Use the skills
and exercises flexibly to find out.
Have realistic expectations. Coping skills
are not magic bullets. They don't work
absolutely every time. Stay realistic.
Combine skills. You can use more than
one and this can be very effective.
Remember that it will take time, effort, and
repetition to make a habit of calming your
feelings.