One of the symptoms of feeling a bit overwhelmed and running at permanent high stress levels is that we don’t communicate with others anymore. We feel like we simply don’t have the time.
Being open and honest about our clutter and our struggles can make a real impact on how we are feeling, and knowing that we have support available to us when we require it can make a huge difference to how we experience stress, and the impact it has on us.
Putting our thoughts into words and speaking with someone else helps put things into perspective and test some assumptions we might be making. A fresh set of eyes on a situation can help us see things from different angles, and also distinguish between our thoughts and what is the reality.
This someone else can be anyone you like: a family member, a friend, a colleague, a manager, a mentor, a professional (therapist/counsellor/coach…), or also a listening helpline. There are many options available, so experiment with them and see what works well for you.
Reflection:
- Who around you knows that you are feeling under pressure?
- Who do you think could be a supportive listener?
- What could you experiment with?
Whatever you try, de-clutter your thoughts, put them into words and talk to someone. It’s amazing what a difference that can make.