In today’s ultra-busy world of constant information and non-stop stimulation, the feeling of overwhelm is a shared experience.
Look for synonyms of overwhelm in any thesaurus, and they’re pretty awful—overpower, subdue, oppress, quash, engulf, swallow, submerge, bury, suffocate.
Heavy stuff.
Those words may be all too familiar to anyone who’s experienced overwhelm, and that’s plenty of us.
The pressure to keep up with the ever-increasing demands of work, family, and personal life can lead to a sense of being constantly pulled in multiple directions leaving us feeling helpless and unable to cope.
During times of overwhelm, everything feels too big. Everything is too much. And it’s not just everyday busyness and packed schedules.
When we’re overwhelmed, making dinner becomes a monumental effort.
Better eat out.
Bills, housework, yardwork?
Forget it.
For many of us, symptoms of overwhelm can manifest in the following ways:
Physical (nail-biting, clumsiness, neck ache)
Psychological (forgetful, rude, defensive)
Social (poor hygiene, inadequate boundaries)
Spiritual (loss of a sense of purpose, unsure of what’s important)
And tasks that used to take only 10 or 15 minutes now seem utterly impossible. There’s no time for anything.
Instead, we do nothing.
Worse, we have no faith that this, too, shall pass. We seem hopelessly mired in the quicksand of “too much”. We keep trying to will our way out of the quicksand with a will that wants to give up.
So how can we find a way to navigate overwhelm from a yogic perspective?
At its core, yoga helps us bring awareness to the present moment, connect to our breath and cultivate a sense of inner calm. Through this practice, we can start to detach from the constant noise and demands of the world around us and create a sense of inner stillness and peace.
In addition, we can turn to one of the essential teachings of yoga—santosha—which means contentment. Santosha reminds us to find satisfaction in what we have in the present moment instead of constantly striving for more. When we embrace the principle of santosha, we can release ourselves from the pressure of trying to do too much or the feeling of always needing to do more.
Another helpful tenet of yoga is the concept of ahimsa—non-harming. Practicing ahimsa means treating ourselves compassionately rather than pushing ourselves beyond our limits. When we overdo things, we harm ourselves physically and emotionally, causing a ripple effect of suffering throughout our lives and communities.
“We have finite time and energy, so we must make choices that align with our values, strengths, and goals.”
The quote above reminds us to prioritize and make conscious choices about how we spend our time and energy.
Undoubtedly, self-care—including yogic practices—is also essential when managing overwhelm.
“When we take time to recharge our batteries, we have the ability to show up in our lives more mindfully, calmly, purposely, and with greater peace, joy, and love.”
Embracing the yogic principles of santosha and ahimsa—and prioritizing self-care—can help to find balance and inner peace amidst the chaos of daily life.
When we align with our values and needs, we find the inner resources and spaciousness needed to get on with life.
Ultimately, what matters is in your heart. Always connect with yourself first—your true self will find the way and can deal with whatever life throws at you.
With joy and gratitude,
Jeannine
Author’s content adapted and used under license, © Claire Communications
