In today's world, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. From work to family obligations to personal goals, there's no shortage of things that demand our attention. Overwhelm can manifest in many different ways, including physical symptoms such as headaches and fatigue, as well as emotional symptoms like anxiety and depression. But the good news is that there are ways to tackle overwhelm and regain a sense of balance in our lives.
In a recent episode of The Fit Mess podcast, Dr. Samantha Brody shared some insightful tips on how to overcome overwhelm. Dr. Brody is a licensed naturopathic physician and author of "Overcoming Overwhelm: Dismantle Your Stress from the Inside Out." Her book focuses on identifying core values and true north to help prioritize which stresses to address first.
One of the first things Dr. Brody emphasizes is the importance of taking control where you can. While it's easy to feel like overwhelm is something that's happening to us, the truth is that there are usually areas where we have control. By lowering the load in these areas, it can help alleviate the overall sense of overwhelm.
For example, if work is a major source of stress, take a look at your workload and see if there are any tasks that can be delegated or postponed. Or if you're feeling overwhelmed with your personal life, consider cutting back on commitments or asking for help. The key is to identify where you have control and take action to lower the load in those areas.
Another important step in overcoming overwhelm is identifying your core values and true north. Dr. Brody explains that when we have a clear sense of our values, it's easier to prioritize which stresses to address first. For example, if one of your core values is health, then prioritizing exercise and healthy eating may be more important than say, attending every social event that comes your way.
Dr. Brody's book offers exercises to help identify your core values and true north, which can be incredibly helpful in navigating the many demands of modern life. By understanding what truly matters to you, it becomes easier to make choices that align with your values and avoid feeling overwhelmed by too many things that don't truly matter.
Another important point Dr. Brody makes is the power of taking baby steps. When we're feeling overwhelmed, it's easy to feel like we need to tackle everything at once. But often, this approach only leads to more stress and burnout. Instead, Dr. Brody suggests taking one thing at a time and focusing on making progress in small increments.
This approach not only helps with feeling accomplished but also allows for taking control of the situation. By breaking down larger tasks into smaller, more manageable ones, it becomes easier to make clearer choices and maintain momentum. It's important to remember that overcoming overwhelm is a process, and taking baby steps is a powerful way to make progress towards a more balanced life.
Lastly, Dr. Brody emphasizes the importance of dismantling the various stresses in our lives. This involves making choices that align with our core values and avoiding the things that don't truly matter. It can be challenging to let go of certain obligations or commitments, but sometimes it's necessary to regain a sense of balance.
Dr. Brody's book offers guidance on how to identify the stresses in our lives and make choices that align with our values. It's important to remember that it's okay to say no to things that don't serve us or align with our goals. By doing so, we create more space for the things that truly matter and avoid feeling overwhelmed by too many things that don't.
In conclusion, feeling overwhelmed is a common experience in our modern world. However, there are ways to tackle overwhelm and regain a sense of balance. Dr. Samantha Brody's book "Overcoming Overwhelm" offers valuable insights into how to identify core values and true north to prioritize stresses and take control where we can. Taking baby steps and tackling one thing at a time can help us make progress and maintain momentum. Dismantling the various stresses in our lives involves making choices that align with our core values and avoiding the things that don't truly matter.
As listeners of The Fit Mess podcast, we can apply these insights to our own lives to overcome overwhelm and achieve a more balanced and fulfilling life. By identifying our core values and true north, we can prioritize our stresses and take control where we can. By taking baby steps and making progress in small increments, we can maintain momentum and avoid burnout. And by dismantling the various stresses in our lives, we can make choices that align with our core values and create more space for the things that truly matter.
If you're interested in learning more about overcoming overwhelm, be sure to check out Dr. Samantha Brody's book "Overcoming Overwhelm: Dismantle Your Stress from the Inside Out." And don't forget to listen to the latest episode of The Fit Mess podcast for more insights and inspiration on living a healthy and balanced life.
