What is a Mantra you use when you are stressed and overwhelmed?

[Sunseekr]

When a build up to "to do's" happen, I start to "freak out" and go on overdrive to control everything around me as much as possible so that my life stays manageable while I deal with the stresses and I don't slip into a downward spiral of depression/complete uselessness. No one likes to be around me when I am stressed and/or depressed. My husband cannot lend much support.

[jkl5500]

I don't know about a mantra, but if I have a lot of things to get done, I remember this great advice that I read many years ago.

1. List every task that needs to be done 2. Rank them in order of importance. 3. Start with the most important thing first. Don't do anything else until you are finished. 4. When you do finish, start the next most important thing, and repeat the process.

This way, you'll always be making the best use of your time. Knowing this should help lower your stress all by itself.

[Sunseekr in reply to jkl5500]

Thank you for your advice

[optimuscoolbeans in reply to jkl5500]

Wise words indeed. Why something as simple as this has not occurred to me is actually dumbfounding.

[Sillysausage234]

Keep calm....and carry on

[Agora1]

Hi Sunseekr, my mantra is always "Breathe" bring down my shoulders

and feel the calm. Then to motivate myself, I reach for a piece of Chocolate

which sends my Endorphins soaring. I am now ready to tackle my list of "to do's". xx

[1OshunDreamer]

I switch between "This too shall pass" and "Grant me the serenity

to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference."

[Icare4u]

The best answer here is to KNOW what is manageable and start letting go of wanting to do EVERYTHING at once. Look at them as bubbles in the air that you need to pop. Start popping them and don't add anymore for right now. Get to a manageable amount and accept that some things aren't that important and some things can wait. And I don't just mean for the moment. Some things can be dealt with at a later point in life. Focus on what's important at this time in your life. If you say yes to everyone, start saying NO. Do for yourself first. You'll feel much more at peace taking care of your own self and will be able to better help others when you actually CAN! It is so much less stressful when I know that I took care of what I NEEDED to and now there IS time to take care of what I WANT to.

[momofjust2boys]

Stress is so.....stressful! I get overwhelmed too-I think it's just natural. And I struggle with trying to control everything. I agree with all these answers.....I find breathing helps me. I like to take 3 deep, slow breaths, and just focus on listening to the air being inhaled and exhaled slowly. I also like the list-I am a list maker! And I love to cross off tasks-makes me feel accomplished I have a calendar with a place for lists, which I love because I can list tasks several months in advance (Buy Dad's birthday present can be written in the list for his birthday month 3 months from now). Please post again and let us know what helped you.

[Sunseekr]

Hi, thank you all for your responses. The main problem that I was posting about was about having anxiety build up so much because of “To- do’s” which made me manic, irritable, take things personally from my kids and husband, yell, feel rage and then spiral down into thinking that I didn’t belong as a mother or wife.

I read an article about Borderline Personality Disorder- on HealthUnlocked after I posted originally. I identified immediately with 7 out of the 9 symptoms. It explained so much to me!!! The next day I got on Latuda and the medication has been like the miracle drug I have been searching for for 10 years, NO JOKE. I am not irritable, angry, paranoid, or have the urge to yell or loose control of my emotions. I can breathe better immediately after It kicks in (20 min). I have less anxiety, no racing thoughts and feel more relaxed. It is the perfect companion to my Lamictal (mood stabilizer) for my Bipolar Disorder. I ended up researching the treatment which is Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and spent 6 hours reading through the DBT books the next day. I ended up calling a friend and staying at her house while she was on vacation to diffuse my emotions and it was just what I needed. The medicine, the night away and the explanation of why and how my brain works, coupled with knowing my ancestors had mood disorders and knowing what I grew up with in my environment, has totally changed my perspective on stress. In this case, Medicine and DBT is the daily now. DBT covers: learning the skills to cope with stress, accepting myself, manage my emotions and strengthen my relationships.

I feel so blessed to have been led to this discovery and this community of health resources and awareness! Thank you everyone!