I will never forget what one of my patients said to me many years ago. She said starting in early November you just “press go” meaning, it’s a big push from Thanksgiving planning on through New Years. For some of us, this is a wonderful time. From the moment we press “go” we are brimming with excitement and delight. But many of us experience feelings of overwhelm during this time and want to take to our beds or escape to a remote island through January 2nd. Even for those of us who love and cherish the holidays, it is an intense time.

What is “Overwhelm”

Overwhelm is a form of emotional stress and a symptom of anxiety. Anxiety is a big bucket that contains many different emotions. Overwhelm is one of the most common manifestations. It means that our brain is so filled with our worries that we have difficulty focusing and often managing simple tasks. During a season that requires a lot for many of us – planning parties and gatherings, preparing for guests, shopping, managing a busier than usual social calendar, arranging for travel, simple tasks may seem like monumental hurdles. If you are already struggling with daily life (and many of us are) due to social anxiety or just anxiety in general, this time is especially challenging. Even those of us who are normally cool, calm and collected may have feelings of overwhelm.

How do I know when I’m overwhelmed?

What can I do?

First, recognize that you are experiencing overwhelm. Name it! This is called mindfulness.

The beginning of a new year is a great time to establish the above habits so that you can develop a new mindset that is in the best interest of YOU and YOUR health.