Coping Strategies for Feeling Overwhelmed
Have the feeling of being overwhelmed? Here are some coping mechanisms from a college student's perspective of how to deal with the feeling of being overwhelmed.
The feeling of being overwhelmed can be very unsettling. As a college student, there have been many instances where I was overwhelmed. Having a heavy course load to balancing the overall life of being a successful college student can be a complex process. The life of a college student isn’t an easy task, and sometimes it takes some failures to learn your strengths. Throughout my four years of college, I still deal with the uncomfortableness of being overwhelmed. When this is the case, it is crucial to take things one day at a time. Here are some of the tips that I find helpful when feeling overwhelmed.
- Take a deep breath: In this case, taking a deep breath is essential. When I have become overwhelmed, taking a deep breath not only stops my heart from racing; it tends to clear my mind of all the thoughts of how much work and so little time to do so.
- Write things down and set reminders: Simply writing down a work plan or schedule is less strenuous on your brain. I learned this the hard way through my years in undergrad. Writing things down means you have one less thing to worry about memorizing. As a college student, you always have one thing to do after the next, and it becomes difficult trying to juggle it all. Therefore, it is essential to note and keep reminders of everything so you are not at risk of forgetting.
- When your mind becomes a blur, take a break: Dealing with school and personal manners can be a lot, but always putting your mental health first is essential. When we are in a position where we can’t continue at that moment, that is your mind and body telling you that it is time to step back and take a break. Even if you feel like you can’t take a break because all you can think about is how much time remains until your assignment is due, taking that break is the best way to continue.
The feeling of being overwhelmed can be strenuous at times. The most important thing you can do in that state is to ask yourself, how can I put myself first physically and mentally to continue moving forward?
I hope you find these tips helpful; stay tuned for more helpful information on self-improvement!
