You know when you have ALL THE FEELINGS? Like, ALL the feelings, and you’re feeling overwhelmed and it’s difficult to actually function because of the flood of emotions pouring through you…?
What do you, uh, actually do in those moments?
If the answer to that question is, ‘I don’t know’ or ‘not good things’ keep reading, as I have some ideas that may be of help, and certainly have been for me.
When we heal we often remove the foods, habits, products and situations from our life which are harmful, but it is important and often neglected to simultaneously detox from within.
We are shifting our thinking for happiness and joyful peace.
If we begin a healing plan, detox or diet from the point of view that we are not good enough, then we have already failed, and we are more likely to hold on to the behaviours which support this view. @Grace_Quantock (Click to Tweet!)
When we are upgrading our actions, if, in the past, we used food / alcohol / television / gossip to suppress, medicate and cope with painful emotions and situations then, as we release the substance/habits from our bodies and lives, some of these old emotions may begin to surface.
Furthermore, if we are no longer using the old habit to suppress or manage emotions then we may be at a loss for what to do when that painful emotion arises and we start feeling overwhelmed. We need to prevent ourselves falling back onto the old track so here are some positive alternatives to surf the waves if they arise.
What to do in emotional overwhelm:
- Journal about the situation – Have a conversation with the emotion in your journal.
- Write a list of self care activities, pick one and do it
- Create a personal sanctuary and enjoy some sacred rest time in it
- Read a comforting book from your childhood
- Enjoy a relaxing bath, shower, hand or foot soak or massage or visualise one of these
- Listen to relaxing music, and explore similar artists to find new favourites
- Call a friend, especially a friend who is healing with you.
- Re-frame the situation, see the positives
- Take a nap
- Do something creative
- Pray
- Engross yourself in a hobby
- Do physical exercise; yoga, swimming, running
- Identify the sources of your fear, acknowledge them, put them aside (in your Strong Box).
- Do some deep breathing
- Meditate
- Have or share a massage
- Cry, hug and move on
- Make a nest
Sometimes these are just not enough and we are really stuck. At times like this talking therapies, counselling, psychotherapy or coaching or seeing your doctor can be the action to take.
Remember if you need to talk, call:
(UK & ROI) Samaritans – 116 123 (their new freephone number)
(USA) Suicide Prevention Life Line – 1-800-273-8255
(Australia) LifeLine – 13 11 14
What do you do when feeling overwhelmed? Let me know in the comments.
Grace Quantock is an award-winning international wellness expert, coach, author, motivational speaker, certified Reiki master and spiritual response therapy practitioner. She is the founder of Healing Boxes CIC and The Phoenix Fire Academy. Currently living – and thriving – with often debilitating illness, she is the real deal and knows, firsthand, the emotional and physical roller coaster that accompanies diagnosis and life struggle. Currently, a resident of Wales, Grace loves reading, gardening and early mornings. She firmly believes that life is meant to be celebrated, and has made it her mission to help others do just that …joyfully and on their own terms. You can follow Grace on Twitter.
Image courtesy of Diana Simumpande.
