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How to Take Back Control When Stress Overwhelms You
by Linda-Ann Stewart
Life can sometimes unexpectedly speed up and come at you fast. Suddenly, you have a cluster of challenging events to deal with. It could be a major health issue with the upheaval of all the medical appointments to schedule around. Or it could be several expensive home repairs at an inconvenient time (is there ever a convenient time for expensive repairs?). Or you may be trying to juggle extra work with family demands.
Any kind of turmoil like this can cause stress and feelings of overwhelm. You feel like life has spun out of control and you have no stability. Your mind narrows its focus and you start reacting from old habits that may not be helpful in the present situation. With your attention focused on immediate concerns, you can't notice potential solutions.
Take Back Control
While it's important to have your vision in mind, in times of overwhelm, your vision can be beyond your ability to consider. You have to find some equilibrium first. To get back into balance, there are some things to do, and not do.
Don't multi-task. This just makes the situation worse. When you multi-task, you're quickly switching your attention from one task to another, and that increases the stress hormones. You may feel like you're being productive, but you don't accomplish much, which just increases your feelings of frustration.
Slow down. Give yourself time to think and assess the situation. Ask yourself, "What are my options?" This allows you to stop reacting and being impulsive, and instead encourages you to make better choices and decisions.
Focus on one thing at a time. You'll be able to reclaim a sense of control. Wash the dishes. Do the laundry. Make that call you've been procrastinating. Once you've done one task, move on to the next. Stay mindful about what you want to accomplish and take it one tiny step at a time.
It's all about being mindful, and creating an island of calm in the present. Once you've taken charge and lowered your stress level, your mind can think more clearly. You won't feel as pressured and can open your mind to handle a bit more. By re-establishing a sense of stability, you'll have more resources at your disposal and be able to expand your horizons once again.
Copyright © 2009-2026 Linda Ann Stewart
All Rights Reserved
As a focus mentor, hypnotherapist, and writer, Linda-Ann Stewart motivates women to focus and transform their business through deliberate actions that break through distraction and overwhelm to greater success, freedom, wellbeing and prosperity. Register for her FREE Design Your Best Day guide and guided meditation at www.Linda-AnnStewart.com/guide.html. You can contact her at LAS@Linda-AnnStewart.com or 928-600-0452.
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