By: Megan Jones

Work can feel like one of our main sources of stress and you may experience times where that stress feels overwhelming. Remember to take a deep breath and reflect. It can be difficult to try and get through however, it is possible. If this resonates with you, here are 5 ways to help with working overwhelm.

Take a Break

Taking a break can feel like the last thing you should you do when you have a mountain of work to do. However, sometimes a break is the best thing. It gives you a moment of decompression. It can allow your body to rest and you may even experience stronger clarity when you return. Moreover, breaks are essential because they allow you to take the time for yourself. Whether it is go on a walk, take a quick cat nap, have a snack, etc. it is important to remember to take time for yourself when you are working.

Talk to a Colleague

Talking to a colleague can provide relief as they understand what you are going through. It can be a great way to get advice on how they are handling the situation and a wonderful sense of comfort.

Make a Plan

Take some time to put pen to paper and write out everything you need to do. Then decide how long each task will take. Remember to be realistic with your timing. In my experience I have set over ambitious goals that can exacerbate me and make me feel worse when I meet the deadline. Once you have written everything out, take a moment to reflect. Consider if you need to reprioritize or reschedule tasks. Moreover, if after you have written everything down and realize you cannot get it all done, reach out to manager and discuss your plan to see what your manager thinks the best option is.

Ask for Help

Probably one of the best things you can do is ask for help. There is no shame in asking for help, and a good manager will understand that. Your manager may not know your bandwidth or realize how much work they have assigned you. It can be a great segway to even discuss what your bandwidth is, and something to consistently check in about.

Reflect on Your Work History

Your workload may increase and decrease throughout your career. There may be times that you find yourself overwhelmed, however, it should not be the norm. Take a moment to reflect are you seeing a balance or are you in a constant state of overwhelm? If it is the latter, begin to have the conversation with yourself about how to alleviate that overwhelm.

Working overwhelm is unfortunately common however, it does not have to be nor should be your normal. Consider taking these steps to get some relief and we hope these 5 tips help with working overwhelm.