Why We Feel Overwhelmed

Feeling overwhelmed isn't simply about having too much to do. In this video, we'll explore overwhelm through the lens of the nervous system and understand why the body can reach a point where it feels difficult to think clearly, make decisions, or cope with everyday demands.

You'll also learn why meeting overwhelm with compassion, rather than self-criticism, can be an important first step towards regulation.

Please note: This content is intended for educational and supportive purposes and does not replace professional medical or psychological care.

Transcript

So today I'm going to just talk about overwhelm, Why it happens and how it connects with the nervous system. Many people experience moments where everything feels too much. A small thing can feel totally overwhelming. Emotions can sometimes feel bigger than expected and may feel like you can't think clearly or find your way back to calm at all. And this can generally happen when the nervous system is carrying more than it has the capacity to process in the moment. When we experience stress the body responds automatically. It may move into states of activation where we feel anxious, Restless, Alert or like we need to do something. Or it may move into states of shutdown where we feel disconnected. Unable to engage. And these responses are protective responses. An important thing to note is that the goal is not to never feel overwhelmed because life will always bring challenges. The goal is to build awareness and support so that we can begin to recognise what's happening and offer ourselves what we need to get back to balance. Through this we also expand our capacity to be with a wider range of emotions. Sometimes it means slowing down, Sometimes it means moving the body, Sometimes it might mean connection or actually simply acknowledging this is a lot right now. Overwhelm is often a message from the body asking for support and learning to listen is the beginning of change.