Strategies to Manage Overwhelm & Fatigue

While life remains busy and full, at times I have noticed myself and others experiencing overwhelm and sometimes debilitating fatigue. I wrote some reflections inspired by my friend and Chronic Pain Therapist & Coach Anna Holzman. In a recent newsletter, Anna reminds us that we all cycle through different seasons. And sometimes we experience seasons of shut-down. 

I find these kinds of funks to be hard to accept and difficult to navigate. So, I wanted to share with you a few strategies as to what's been helpful to me.  

1. I acknowledge and accept that I am needing rest and recovery while navigating big internal and external changes. This is difficult as someone who copes through over-working and DOING rather than BEING as a default mode.  (a DBT resource to learn more about these skills).

2. Leaning on self-affirmation (through meditation and music) as well as encouragement from peers and from my own therapeutic supports. I have a “Rainy Day” file with notes that remind me of words of comfort and validation from loved one when my own sense of who I am waivers.   

3. I have double downed on my most reliable contemplative practice, no matter how low energy I feel, taking walks outdoors and connecting with nature, even if only 5-10 minutes/day (sans phone!)

4. I use other tools like journaling and meditating that help me process and connect with difficult feelings that I may be otherwise avoiding. 

5. Reaching out for connection with others. Talking to friends and colleagues whom you trust and with whom you can bring my full self. Prioritizing time in and cultivating community is essential for many of us.

6. Identifying core emotions and needs that I'm feeling, I use the list of feelings and needs from a Nonviolent Communication framework. The simplicity of this lists of words help quiet the noise and re-orient me with that which I value most in life.