Many women report they feel so incredibly overwhelmed with tasks, responsibilities, and worry. They also frequently wonder, “How do I cope with being overwhelmed?” and “How do I stop feeling overstimulated?” If you’ve found yourself asking these same questions, you’re not alone.
There are an endless number of things that can cause someone to feel overwhelmed. Sometimes it’s just one specific thing, while other times it’s multiple things that are all compounding to create an intense feeling of stress. When we become overwhelmed, common symptoms to show up for women can look like:
- Becoming easily irritable or irritated
- Feeling angry
- Trouble focusing or completing tasks
- Not feeling productive enough
- Sad or tearful
- Anxious, worried, or on edge
- Difficulty coping with stressors
- Feeling unable to control intrusive or unwanted thoughts
- Difficulty sleeping
- Lower tolerance for stress or unforeseen circumstances
- Less patience
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s possible you could be feeling overwhelmed. But what about being overstimulated?
Being overstimulated is a specific type of overwhelm. When we become overwhelmed, we are more likely to also become sensitive to noises, lights, touch, and objects. This can flood our senses and cause a state of overstimulation. For some, it’s as if the volume to everything has been turned up to the max.
When women are overstimulated, they are more likely to report:
- Sensitivity to noises
- Feeling “touched out”
- Easily irritated or on edge
- Anxiety symptoms
- Difficulty parenting
- Depression symptoms
- Anger and frustration
- Wanting to be alone
- Difficulty managing intense emotions
- Easily upset at things that would not usually be upsetting for them
At this point, you may be identifying with some or most of the symptoms above. If that’s the case, being overstimulated is likely influencing your reactions to things, and not in a good way. If you are overwhelmed and/or overstimulated, try these:
- Stop what you’re doing and go someplace quiet
- Turn down or off any excess noises (such as a TV or radio)
- Go for a walk alone
- Ask for help with children or pets
- Engage in an activity that is calming (breathing exercises, yoga, meditation, walking, coloring, journaling, etc.)
Still feeling overwhelmed? If you need support addressing stressors related to overwhelm, learning healthy ways to cope, or managing emotions when overstimulated, reach out today for a free consultation to learn how I can help.
