What do you do that helps when thoughts and life seem overwhelming?

[Starrlight]

Please add what works for you. Here are a few that at times work for me:

Take one step/one day at a time

Meditation, mindfulness and deep breathing

Exercise

Art, creative writing or journaling

Letting go of what we cannot control

Grounding by placing bare feet on the earth

Try to focus on what is going right

Compliment yourself on what you’ve accomplished

Doing something nice for someone

Take action to get some things done so there’s less on to do list

Remember that you’ve got through it all so far so you can keep on getting through

Take a break; rest or watch a movie or read a book

Go out into nature

I notice I really need to slow down and simplify much of the time

Get rid of clutter

[DodgeDhanda]

Hi SL.

For me its the moment my 2 daughters were born , it's gives me the biggest lift & it's very fast in working .

[Starrlight in reply to DodgeDhanda]

That is so BEAUTIFUL

[DodgeDhanda in reply to Starrlight]

They are beautiful memories & they're so powerful & when I realised how important they are , I am so grateful to have 2 daughters who love me as much as I love them. It's her own fault that their mother decided she would rather go out to have fun than be a mother but I wanted nothing more than to be a good father & I'm now making good on being one & will always be counting myself lucky I got to watch my 2 daughters grow up into beautiful women who are amazing & I hope they're living their best lives as that's what I've always wanted for them.

I could go on forever about our ups & downs & the all in between to

[Starrlight in reply to DodgeDhanda]

😊

[c-mac]

good ideas. I think meditation and journaling are my first and second steps, and going for a brisk walk is my emergency go to - literally, run away!

[Starrlight in reply to c-mac]

Ha literally run away! 😆 Love it. Thanks c-mac, these are great.

[primrose81]

I look at photos of our grandsons 6, 8, and 3. Also find watching nature and in particular bird programmes/videos. Even though we don’t have our dog anymore still love looking at photos of dogs on all the doggie forums.

[Starrlight in reply to primrose81]

Great activities! I love those! ❤️

[BrainIsFull]

I like your list. I also do many of those things.

I am trying to remind myself that the hard feelings that I am having now are temporary, even though my brain is telling me that I am going to feel this way forever.

I have also recently been watching shows about cats. That seems to distract and sooth me. The small, scared part of me.

[Starrlight in reply to BrainIsFull]

True, we will have good days after the bad ones. My brain tries to trick me also.

That’s so great that you have found that cat videos soothe you. I ‘get’ that small scared part, I find myself feeling this way and I think it’s ok for us to go there to heal, to protect, to revive ourselves.

[Candy198 in reply to BrainIsFull]

I hate that you suffer with anxiety, but it helps to know that I am not the only who feels this way. I have had episodes before and have come out of them, but while in the midst of one its hard to believe that you will not feel this way forever. My go to videos are of kids and puppies. It will get better !

[Starrlight in reply to Candy198]

It does help to know we are not alone in it. And it does get better 😊

[Candy198 in reply to Starrlight]

Yes it does. How are you feeling this morning?

[Nothing_but_books]

I'm trying to use a few things on your list now. It helps me to see what others are doing.

I made a list of what I remember doing today.

I've gotten rid of some clutter.

I'm trying to do something nice for someone.

I did a little personal self care.

I read a little while.

[Starrlight in reply to Nothing_but_books]

You did an excellent job today. Do you feel any less overwhelmed from any of it? I feel less overwhelmed to have my clutter lowered a notch and donations ready at the door.

[Nothing_but_books in reply to Starrlight]

Not today. It's uphill.

You remind me to hold on to hope, because there are better days when what I've gotten done feels good.

[Starrlight in reply to Nothing_but_books]

Yes I am also holding onto hope my friend. I had the most stressful morning I can recall but I talked to my therapist and I meditated and now I’m taking a break to finish my tea in the present moment.

Yes let’s recall there are better days that do exist.

What are you up to?

[Nothing_but_books in reply to Starrlight]

Chicken soup for the headache and sore throat. Breathing steam to maybe help.

Getting some laundry done. Mundane stuff. I got a little bit of clutter sorted.

A lot of stressful back-and-forth calls about the divorce. It's taking it out of me.

I fell asleep at 4:30 a.m. It's hard to find a more normal bedtime after that.

How about you?

[Starrlight in reply to Nothing_but_books]

I get that “it’s taking it out of me” me too my day was so busy and it’s not over yet. I’m on the floor chillin out atm

I need the same as you; the soup and steam.

Oh yeah stressful back and forth calls - you deserve something special after that…Wish I could bring you a tea and a smiley face cookie to you.

[Nothing_but_books in reply to Starrlight]

That's nice. You put a smile on my face just reading it.

I found some to share here.

Do care for yourself; try to make the time. I hope the floor's nice and cosy, and Coco doesn't mind sharing. Ruff!

Smiley face cookies.

[Starrlight in reply to Nothing_but_books]

Aww I’m happy I made ya smile. You’re the sweetest with those smiley face cookies. Thank you. We both deserve some I say.

Ha Coco took advantage of me during my floor time. She kept licking my face over and over again. Made me laugh 😆a good laugh adds a year to our lives … or something like that.

[Nothing_but_books in reply to Starrlight]

Aww... 😊

[Starrlight in reply to Nothing_but_books]

(((((((((((((((((((((((((((huge hug))))))))))))))))))))))))

[Nothing_but_books in reply to Starrlight]

💜⭐🐕

[Starrlight in reply to Nothing_but_books]

❤️🦜🥰

[Roxylox]

Cuddle my dog

[Starrlight in reply to Roxylox]

That’s so therapeutic and I love how dogs love unconditionally.

[Hidden]

I watch CNN. After an hour of that, I’ve forgotten all my own worries since there are so many bigger problems happening in the world that are bigger than mine. Relatively speaking. 😀

[Starrlight in reply to Hidden]

I do similar. Sometimes I feel small in the world but it’s comforting to me. 😊

[BrainIsFull in reply to Hidden]

I get that sometimes from listening to True Crime podcasts.

[RMHiker]

You have a great list there! I have some YouTube videos saved under "Hopeful Messages" that I watch when I need hope. I also like to hug my teddy bear while listening to the sound of rain on my Google speaker. I close my eyes and visualize myself sitting on a porch, listening to the rain 😊

[Starrlight in reply to RMHiker]

Wow these are so great, RMHiker. I love the rain too. I love the idea of hugging a teddy bear, how comforting.

[Cjmac1960]

good stuff

[Starrlight in reply to Cjmac1960]

Thanks Cjmac hope you are well

[Southern_Man]

Meditation and prayer. I think that when things become overwhelming, my mind goes into a fast-paced, “chaos” mode. Taking a little bit for meditation slows me back down.

[Starrlight in reply to Southern_Man]

Good insight. Meditation and prayer are powerful.

[Babe1213]

hi Starrlight, fantastic post, well thought out and if we can all take notice of that there would be a lot less stress in the world. May I also add to your 'list' another separate 'list' that is the opposite of 'things to be done!' 'THINGS DONE!' It is amazing to look at a glance and see how much you have achieved. Well done, thank you xx

[Starrlight in reply to Babe1213]

I love it THINGS DONE ✅ I agree it’s great to see how much we’ve achieved! Thanks Babe1213!

[Tara52]

Forgiving myself and others. A gratitude list everyday,( it helps lift me out of self pity). Looking up at the stars at night. 🙏💗

[Starrlight in reply to Tara52]

Forgiving is so powerful. Great one, Tara. Gratitude too. I’m actually starting a gratitude post to list in here in a minute. ✨ 🌟 stars at night, I love it.

[RoxyKind]

Exercise. Baking.. Praying my rosary. Letting myself cry instead of keeping it in.

[Starrlight in reply to RoxyKind]

Really great ones RoxyKind! Thank you so much for sharing. ❤️

[1962faithorn]

Doing something nice or helping somebody

[Starrlight in reply to 1962faithorn]

So awesome

[TailWags]

Remember I felt OK before so I can again.Go to health unlocked

Walk my dog

[Montana136]

Hi StarlightThis post is 4 months old but I must say I agree with everything on that list it is a great list. I have tried many things on this list in the times of my struggles. Great places to start! thank you so much

[Starrlight in reply to Montana136]

Awesome ☺️