Simple Ways to Cope When Feeling Overwhelmed
Tips to Help Calm Yourself Down
Stress levels tend to reach their peak during the holiday season, leaving many people feeling overwhelmed with distressing emotions. Fortunately, there are plenty of easy ways you can calm yourself to feel more relaxed and at ease.
Journaling
When you were in middle school or high school, you may have kept a diary to write down your innermost thoughts and feelings—you may want to continue this practice into your adult life. Keeping a journal or writing down your thoughts is actually an excellent way to deal with overwhelming emotions. This is because getting it out in writing allows you to express yourself in a way that is free of judgment or detriment.
Progressive Muscle Relaxation
Progressive muscle relaxation is not only an excellent way to ease the physical tension you may be holding in your muscles, but it also helps to ease distressing emotions and feelings of anxiety. When you find yourself feeling a bit overstimulated or overwhelmed, find a nice quiet space and follow these steps as you work through the various muscle groups throughout your body:
- Breathe in and tense all of your muscles in this muscle group, holding for about 10-20 seconds
- Breathe out and suddenly relax all of the previously tensed muscles
- Relax for about 15 seconds before moving onto the next group of muscles
Take a Walk
Sometimes you need to break from your current situation or surroundings to allow your racing mind to relax and reset. Whether you decide to take a walk around your neighborhood or take a scenic walk in nature, taking time to yourself can help you to feel more at ease.
Mental Health Resources Available at Tapestry
At Tapestry, our mental health treatment programs are designed to provide our clients with individualized care while acknowledging their unique life experiences. Our staff members are also dedicated to understanding and treating our clients as whole people.
Whether you have questions about mental health or how to support a loved one struggling with their mental health, we are here for you. Contact us today by filling out a confidential form or give us a call at (828) 490-4032.
