How Tapping into Your Creativity Can Ease Overwhelm

Overwhelm, Self-Care, Self-Love

Are you also feeling stuck at home?

Your daily life has changed in the span of just a few weeks.

The news you see on the media can feel unnerving. Overwhelming, even.

But this unexpected situation raises some unique opportunities. You might, for example, find yourself with more free time.

How will you use that extra time?

You could use that time worrying about the news and obsessing about forces beyond your control.

Or…

You could use that time in a more constructive way. 

Like learning how to tap into your creativity.

Believe it or not, creativity can do so much for your overall well-being. In these uncertain times, creativity may be exactly what you need when you’re feeling overwhelmed with life.

What’s So Great About Creativity?

“Coronavirus is sweeping nations and you’re telling me to be creative?”

Valid question, I know. But here are a few benefits of creativity that may surprise you.

Soothe Your Anxiety-Wracked Mind

There seems to be an update on COVID-19 every hour. Tune in for long enough and you’re bound to feel the stress and anxiety creeping in.

Creativity is more than painting a pretty picture. It actually has a positive effect on your health. One study found that “creative engagement can decrease anxiety, stress, and mood disturbances”. 

Tapping into your creative spirit will do more for your health than the coronavirus alerts beeping on your phone.

Tapping into your creative spirit will do more for your health than the coronavirus alerts beeping on your phone. Share on X

Feel Empowered

Overwhelm can feel like the walls are closing in on you.

Right now, those walls might represent coronavirus and financial strain.

This can leave you feeling helpless and hopeless. 

And you’re probably not feeling very creative at that moment.

But when you engage your creativity, you’re taking action. 

Whether it’s painting, writing, or some other skill, you’re giving form to your ideas.

You’re creating!

And that can feel incredibly empowering — something you desperately need when you’re drowning in overwhelm.

Get Out of Your Head and Into Flow

Ever thrown yourself into a creative project, looked at the time, and realized that four hours flew by?

You slipped into flow state.

When you enter flow state, you’re completely immersed in an activity. Your mind is freed from the outside world. 

You’re living entirely in the present moment.

Sounds amazing, right?

Even if you’ve been engaged for hours, flow tends to not trigger signs of burnout.

Instead, you often feel energized. Joyful. Fulfilled.

That’s why I want to help you tap into your creative flow.

How to Tap Into Your Creativity and Feel Empowered Again

#1 Choose Your Craft

Tapping into creative flow starts with choosing a craft.

What are you good at?

It may be helpful to return to your childhood interests. What activities did you gravitate to?

Was it painting or drawing? Or maybe your inclinations were more musical.

Don’t think, though, that creativity and artistry are the same. While there are many overlaps, creativity doesn’t necessarily need to be traditionally artistic. 

Any of the following can still be considered creative pursuits:

  • Business development
  • Tech skills (e.g., coding, video editing)
  • Speaking to an audience (e.g. YouTube, podcasting, consulting)
  • Organizing

What is your creative craft? Share it in the comments below!

#2 Create a Designated Space

We create spaces and assign them specific meanings.

The kitchen is for cooking. The library is for studying. And the office is for working.

The same can go for your creativity. Create a designated space that is optimized for nurturing your creativity.

A place where your mind is free from distractions — because distractions can block your creative flow.

But right now, it may be difficult, especially if you’re confined to your home.

You’ll have to make do with what you have.

Perhaps you can clear a corner in your living room. Or you might discover some valuable real estate after you declutter your garage.

The point is to create a space solely for creative expression.

#3 Channel Your Inner Child

Do you know why children tend to be so creative?

Their minds and hearts are unburdened by the responsibilities of adulthood.

Children don’t worry about clocking in or putting food on the table.

They have space and time for creative ideas to bloom and manifest.

Reconnect with your child-like state.

The world will always be waiting for you. But for a few hours, can you channel what it felt like to be young and carefree? Can you give yourself permission to play again?

When you do, you might clear more space in your brain for creativity.

#4 Morning Pages

In The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron, she talks about Morning Pages. Morning Pages “are three pages of longhand, stream of consciousness writing, done first thing in the morning “.

There’s no right or wrong way to write morning pages. 

Whatever’s in your mind, get it down on paper:

  • How you’re feeling
  • Your goals
  • How you slept
  • What you want for lunch

The point is to just start writing.

And that’s the tricky part in any creative pursuit — getting started.

Many women might be afraid to get creative. You might be skeptical of your skills. Or perhaps you fear criticism — from yourself or others.

Morning pages help you overcome those inner fears. The goal isn’t how good your writing is — it’s that you did the work.

Creative flow is all about doing and engaging with your craft.

Morning pages help you make creativity a daily habit. I’ve made journaling a cornerstone practice in my own morning routine. Writing my thoughts, feelings, and goals is a liberating and creative experience for me.

Can You Choose Creativity in Your Overwhelm?

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by COVID-19.

How can you even think about creative expression?

But these circumstances, which are often outside your control, don’t have to smother your fire.

There’s a burning spirit within you that’s begging you to give it form.

Get lost in your flow state. 

There’s something uniquely you that you can share with the world. 

In the empowerment and joy you gain from creative expression, you’ll find what you have to offer to yourself and to the world.

And I’m here to help you discover that. If you want to rise above your overwhelm, sign up for my complimentary “Overcoming Overwhelm” Discovery session.

 In this 60-minute consultation you’ll:

  • Reveal a clear and compelling vision of what else is possible for your life when you no longer have so much on your plate and are enjoying your life again
  • Get simple and practical tips for how to break free from your symptoms of overwhelm
  • Tap into greater energy and inspiration 
  • Explore how having a partner on your journey will provide a shortcut to all that you desire.

Click here now to sign up for a complimentary “Overcoming Overwhelm” Discovery session.

Whitney believed in me and saw what I couldn’t.

Whitney is a joy to work with. Her compassion, deep listening skills and coaching supported me to accomplish and move forward in areas of my business where I’ve previously felt like I was spinning my wheels. I’m now doing what I set out to do with love and compassion for myself!

Thank you Whitney for believing in me and seeing what I couldn’t. I highly recommend Whitney to anyone interested in upleveling their life and especially upleveling their self-care.

Jill Fischer

CEO, Jill Fischer International

Hi, I’m Whitney

About Me

As an International Speaker, Certified Life Coach, Spiritual Counselor, and Ordained Minister with 3 decades of experience researching personal growth and how we heal from within, I have healed myself from fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, and burnout. My proven strategies help women overcome overwhelm and break free from the burnout cycle. I then partner with them as they reclaim their passion and create the life they desire. Having experienced first-hand the challenges of finding physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual balance, I believe that life is meant to be enjoyed, not endured!!!

A gift for you:

Asking For Help Is Hard. Here’s Why. (And What You Can Do About It.)

Burnout, Overwhelm, Self-Care, Self-Love

“Sometimes asking for help is the bravest move you can make. You don’t have to go it alone”

~ Anonymous

Do you admit to yourself when you need help? 

How about asking for it? 

Right now with coronavirus knocking the economy on its side do you seek a helping hand? Or do you stay silent to save face?

You are only one woman. And yet… you try to carry the world on your shoulders.

Why is this?

“So I can prove that I can do everything by myself.”

But is claiming sole ownership of that achievement worth it when exhaustion, overwhelm and anxiety are the tradeoffs?

Yet you and so many women embark on this lonely path.

…which raises the question… 

Why don’t we ask for help?

We’re Taught to Do Everything On Our Own

This internalization is largely owed to our society and culture.

American culture is pulling yourself up by your bootstraps. Taking care of business. Paving your own way. 

Next, we have the idealization of the independent woman. She can have it all — fame, power, prestige, wealth. She does it on her own. She doesn’t need help from any man.

So here’s the thing.

Achieving your goals and creating the life you desire is absolutely  possible. However, that shouldn’t suggest that you must do it alone. 

Independence can be virtuous. But so can balance and vulnerability. Asking for help lets you maintain that balance between getting where you want to go and preserving your health.

And there is so much support out there. Even now, you’ll find volunteers and aid programs for those affected by the recent coronavirus outbreak.

All you have to do is ask.

Here’s how…

4 Steps to Asking For Help (So You Don’t Burnout)

Step One: Understand the Costs

Women, let’s face it.

We’re busier than ever. You’re a career woman, caregiver, wife, homemaker, mother, and more. With each task you pile on your to-do list or squeeze into your calendar, you give something up. 

  • Your time and energy are spent 
  • Your physical endurance is battered 
  • Your mental well-being is drained
  • Your relationships suffer
  • Your mood takes a nosedive

This is what awaits you if you go too long without self-care and the occasional helping hand.

You’re treading a dangerous path to burnout.

Perhaps you already know this. Yet, why do you refuse help when you desperately need it?

Step Two: Identify the Misbeliefs

Asking for help has a poor reputation because of the negative stigmas attached to it. Does any of this sound familiar to you?

“People who need help are weak.”

You may have been led to believe that only weak women rely on others. 

Women who can’t do it by themselves aren’t enough — they lack the grit, the strength, or the resources.

If you want to be strong and independent, you need to do it on your own.

“I need to be in control.”

You’re a perfectionist.

You set unrealistic (and often exhausting) standards for yourself. The only way you can fulfill these standards is if you micromanage or do everything yourself.

To ask for help is to surrender control.

“I don’t want to feel like a bother.”

“The choice to help another person,” says social psychologist Dr. Heidi Grant, “is often . . . about how you see yourself and how helping will make you feel.”

You hate inconveniencing others. You’re not worth somebody else’s time and energy.

Everybody has their own problems to deal with and they’re doing it on their own. 

What makes you different? Why do you get special treatment?

These insidious misconceptions about asking for help have been internalized by women for years. 

What other misconceptions do you have about asking for help? Share them in the comments below.

Now that we’ve brought these misconceptions to light, it’s time to show them the door.

Step Three: Shift Your Perspective

How do you unravel beliefs that are so deeply embedded in your psyche? It starts with shifting your perspective.

Asking for help is not a sign of weakness. It’s not about control. It’s not about feeling like a burden.

Here’s the truth:

Asking for help is brave.

It requires a level of self-awareness that makes most people uncomfortable. Admitting to yourself and to others that you can’t do it on your own opens you up to vulnerability.

But vulnerability, when it comes to asking and receiving help, can feel liberating.

Asking for help is brave. It requires a level of self-awareness that makes most people uncomfortable. Admitting to yourself and to others that you can’t do it on your own opens you up to vulnerability. Share on X

Help from the right people will enable you to thrive.

As a recovering perfectionist, I am familiar with the obsession for control. 

I now realize — after burning myself out several years ago — that control is an illusion. 

Help from others doesn’t impede your goals. Help from the right people, rather, encourages you to grow into a happier and healthier you.

You are worthy of help and compassion.

Asking for help is not a plea for special treatment.

It’s a request for compassion and aid during a time that you need it.

If you suffered loss of income due to the coronavirus pandemic… 

If you’re so busy that you don’t have time for yourself… 

If you feel alone and need somebody to talk to… 

It’s time to ask for help.

And if you think that you’re unworthy of compassion and aid, you’re mistaken. I’m telling you now that you are worthy.

Step Four: Ask for Help or Delegate

There are two ways to receive help: ask for it or delegate.

Delegating is often a word you associate with business. Management will delegate sections of the project to their staff. If you’re a businesswoman, try experimenting with delegation. You can hire a personal assistant to handle administrative tasks like email and customer support. Or you can hire someone with a specialized skill, like accounting or copywriting.

Delegation also works in your home life. If you have children, for example, try delegating household chores. Or perhaps you cook dinner but delegate the grocery shopping to your significant other.

Delegation can make you feel empowered — maybe that’s why more women are comfortable with appointing duties instead of asking for help.

But asking for help, as we’ve discussed, is still important for your well-being. Explain your struggles and then communicate how you would like to manage your overwhelm.

If you’re swamped at home, sit down and talk with your significant other. Share how you feel and what you need, while staying kind but assertive. If you just started working from home but you’re struggling with the transition, seek resources on how to better adjust.

Extending a Helping Hand

If you’ve been struggling with overwhelm and signs of burnout, know that I’m here. 

Right now, especially, can feel scary. COVID-19 is splashed across every news outlet and the future is uncertain.

Yet much about coronavirus is beyond your control. 

Something you can influence, though, is how you cope with it. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your present circumstances, it may be time to seek additional support.

If you’re ready to ask, I’m ready to extend a helping hand with my complimentary “Overcoming Overwhelm” Discovery session. In this 60-minute consultation you’ll:

  • Reveal a clear and compelling vision of what else is possible for your life when you no longer have so much on your plate and are enjoying your life again
  • Get simple and practical tips for how to break free from your symptoms of overwhelm
  • Tap into greater energy and inspiration 
  • Explore how having a partner on your journey will provide a shortcut to all that you desire.

Click here now to sign up for a complimentary “Overcoming Overwhelm” Discovery session.

Whitney believed in me and saw what I couldn’t.

Whitney is a joy to work with. Her compassion, deep listening skills and coaching supported me to accomplish and move forward in areas of my business where I’ve previously felt like I was spinning my wheels. I’m now doing what I set out to do with love and compassion for myself!

Thank you Whitney for believing in me and seeing what I couldn’t. I highly recommend Whitney to anyone interested in upleveling their life and especially upleveling their self-care.

Jill Fischer

CEO, Jill Fischer International

Hi, I’m Whitney

About Me

As an International Speaker, Certified Life Coach, Spiritual Counselor, and Ordained Minister with 3 decades of experience researching personal growth and how we heal from within, I have healed myself from fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, and burnout. My proven strategies help women overcome overwhelm and break free from the burnout cycle. I then partner with them as they reclaim their passion and create the life they desire. Having experienced first-hand the challenges of finding physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual balance, I believe that life is meant to be enjoyed, not endured!!!

A gift for you:

5 Self-Limiting Phrases that Are Stealing Your Power (and What to Say Instead)

Burnout, Overwhelm, Self-Care, Self-Love

Affirmations are the cornerstone of my morning routine. 

They’re carefully worded. When I recite them aloud, I feel focused and empowered.

But affirmations are deliberate and intentional declarations. 

What about words that slip into your daily conversations and thought patterns? 

Little phrases that rob your power without you realizing it.  Tiny words that seem insignificant but actually undermine your power and authority.

This is your wake-up call to fine-tune your inner and outer dialogue. Here are five self-limiting phrases that are stealing your power.

Ditch These 5 Self-Limiting Phrases and Reclaim Your Power

#1 “I should”

Many times in a day do you tell yourself you “should” do something? 

  • I should exercise. 
  • I should stop sleeping in. 
  • I should tidy up. 
  • I should be doing more, more, more. 

There’s always something you should be doing. 

But chances are, every “should” is accompanied by a negative emotion.

Guilt. Shame. Disappointment.

So, why do you burden yourself with all these “shoulds?”

Is it because that’s how you were raised? Or to gain social acceptance? Or because the news told you so?

But, see. 

You’re letting some outside entity enforce their own values on your life.

The things that other people tell you that you “should” do might not even align with your values and goals.

The things that other people tell you that you “should” do might not even align with your values and goals. Share on X

Start saying “I want”

Return to your goals and priorities. The things that advance those goals and manifest your values are what you want to do, not what you should do.

Notice how different these two statements sound:

  1. I should exercise after work even though I feel tired at this moment.
  2. I want to exercise after work even though I feel tired at this moment.

In the first statement, exercise sounds like a burden. In the second, exercise feels like something to look forward to.

This small language shift can help you advance your goals. And according to  Merrily Sadlovsky, MSW, your “inner critic may be minimized, and maybe even silenced over time.”

#2 “I’ll try”

“Do or do not. There is no try.” ~ Yoda

Yes, Yoda is fictional but his wisdom is genuine.

Trying isn’t achieving. It’s giving yourself permission to fail.

Ever notice how “I try” is often followed by “but?”

  • I tried learning guitar but it was too difficult. 
  • I tried asking for a raise but I decided to wait. 
  • I tried saying no but they wouldn’t let up about it. 

Successful people don’t try. 

They get things done.

They learn the guitar. They earn that raise. They say no and mean it.

Start saying “I will”

“I’ll try” is wishy-washy. “I will” is empowering.

It’s a declaration that you get results. 

That even in temporary failure, you will still get the job done.

Practice this change now.

What’s one thing you’ve “tried” but didn’t see the results you wanted? Turn it into an “I will” declaration and share it in the comments below. 

#3 “I think”

“I think” is a shield for your feelings. When you’re criticized, you can quickly hide behind “it’s just my opinion.”

But doing this diminishes your power.

Your informed opinion holds value. And when you preface your thoughts with “I think,” you’re telling others that it can be dismissed.

It chips at your confidence and undermines your authority.

When you say, “I think I’ll be an asset to your company if you hire me,” how does that make you sound?

At best, you sound uncertain. 

Are you an asset to the company or not?

It’s time to stop thinking and start asserting yourself.

Ditch the preface altogether

You don’t need a phrase like “I think” to introduce your thoughts.

Assert your opinion and take a stance.

“Yes, I am an asset to your company. Here’s why you should hire me.”

Say it loudly. Declare it proudly.

Show others and yourself that your thoughts and words carry power.

#4 “I hope”

This one might be surprising. What’s wrong with hoping?

When you say “I hope,” it diminishes two things:

  1. The power of your statement
  2. Your trust in your Higher Power

Take a look at this statement.

“I hope that my business takes off.”

Notice how “I hope” is a lot like “I’ll try”?

The end result feels uncertain. You give up your power.

Will you make it happen or not?

Start saying “I trust”

When you put your trust in something, you’re trusting that the universe is on your side. 

You trust that everything that happens is for your highest good.

And you have faith that your Higher Power will grant you the knowledge and tools to create the change you want to see in your life.

#5 “I can’t”

Yes, there are times when things will be left undone. Or you may need to decline when somebody asks you for a favor.

But when you use the words, “I can’t”, it suggests a limit on your potential or ability.

And in some cases, that may be true — you might not have the expertise or resources at this moment. Or maybe you’re feeling overwhelmed with life or suffering signs of burnout. 

However, there’s another way to convey this without compromising your power.

Start saying “I’m not able to”

What’s the difference?

“I can’t” is limiting. 

“I’m not able to” is about setting healthy boundaries. 

It tells others that this other obligation or request doesn’t fit into your life at this moment.

It’s Your Choice

Everything you say and do conveys something about yourself. 

Even those tiny words like “try” and “should.”

But these seemingly insignificant phrases say a lot. 

They influence how others perceive you and what you think of yourself.

“I’ll try” says that you’re comfortable with quitting. “I will” says that you’re an achiever.

Will you let your language steal your power?

Or will you use it to empower yourself and manifest your priorities?

You’re at choice with how you present yourself.

 For additional tips on creating positive shifts that will help you create your best life, sign up for my mailing list.

Whitney believed in me and saw what I couldn’t.

Whitney is a joy to work with. Her compassion, deep listening skills and coaching supported me to accomplish and move forward in areas of my business where I’ve previously felt like I was spinning my wheels. I’m now doing what I set out to do with love and compassion for myself!

Thank you Whitney for believing in me and seeing what I couldn’t. I highly recommend Whitney to anyone interested in upleveling their life and especially upleveling their self-care.

Jill Fischer

CEO, Jill Fischer International

Hi, I’m Whitney

About Me

As an International Speaker, Certified Life Coach, Spiritual Counselor, and Ordained Minister with 3 decades of experience researching personal growth and how we heal from within, I have healed myself from fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, and burnout. My proven strategies help women overcome overwhelm and break free from the burnout cycle. I then partner with them as they reclaim their passion and create the life they desire. Having experienced first-hand the challenges of finding physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual balance, I believe that life is meant to be enjoyed, not endured!!!

A gift for you:

Read This If You’re Feeling Overwhelmed by COVID-19

Burnout, Overwhelm, Self-Care, Self-Love

We were unprepared for coronavirus and its sudden appearance. 

Now we’re coping as it spreads like wildfire.

You’re stocking up on supplies. You might be in quarantine. Your county might even be on lockdown.

And it can all just feel so…

Overwhelming.

When you feel like you’re waist-deep in your anxiety and overwhelm…

Pause.

Take a deep breath.

And read this prayer aloud:

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,

courage to change the things I can,

and wisdom to know the difference.

Life is already challenging — and coronavirus has only added more complications.

The serenity prayer reminds us that we’re not powerless.

Whatever the circumstances, you always have choice. You can still create positive change in your life.

And the serenity prayer isn’t reserved strictly for those who believe in God. Whether you pray to a Higher Power — or not — the wisdom in this prayer rings true across all spiritual backgrounds. 

In times of overwhelm, especially now, the serenity prayer can comfort and empower you to take action.

Finding the Serenity to Accept the Things You Cannot Change

Coronavirus has disrupted your daily life.

Non-essential businesses are closed down. Your vacation plans might be postponed. Finding basic supplies, like toilet paper and paper towels, feels like a scavenger hunt.

You want to curse at the world.  

Cry at the unfairness of it all. 

But ask yourself:

Is this behavior making me feel better?

Is any of this curing my frustrations or stopping coronavirus?

More often, it isn’t.

Because cursing at the sudden arrival of coronavirus is like being annoyed at the rain when you expected a sunny day.

Things just happen — whether you’re prepared for them or not.

And your first instinct is to resist. To fight against reality and dwell when things go wrong.

But sometimes the best thing you can do is accept reality and move on. 

With the evolving situation around coronavirus, what more can you do except to learn, adjust, and continue living life as best you can?

Because some events are beyond your influence.

No matter what you do, you can’t stop nature from unleashing a hurricane.

Honking your horn won’t make traffic go faster.

And even if you follow all the safety precautions, you may not be 100% protected against coronavirus.

These are the things you cannot change.

The quicker you accept things that you cannot change, the faster you’re able to take action on the things you can.

The quicker you accept things that you cannot change, the faster you’re able to take action on the things you can. Share on X

Summoning the Courage to Change the Things You Can 

Here’s the thing.

In the grand scheme of the universe, events are just events.

To your Higher Power — whoever created this universe — a wedding has the same significance as a breeze flowing.

They’re all just events.

It’s the humans — you and I — that assign meaning and judgments to these events.

You choose whether an event is…

Bad or good.

Lucky or unlucky.

Fair or unfair.

You assign judgments to what happens around you and react based on those judgments.

If you choose to see coronavirus as a pandemic racking up a body count as it sweeps the nation, then, of course, you’ll likely feel deep terror and anxiety.

Yes, coronavirus is a scary event for most, that’s true. People are suffering and some countries are on lockdown to contain it.

But there’s little you can do about that.

The serenity prayer asks God to help you change the things you can.

You choose how you perceive things and how you feel about them.

Which also means that you can change your perceptions. 

You can change what judgments you assign certain events.

Will you characterize coronavirus as a big scary monster that crushes your spirit? 

Or can you see it as an opportunity? An opportunity to…

  • Practice optimism over pessimism.
  • Work on projects you didn’t previously have time for.
  • Cultivate a hobby you’ve always wanted to.
  • Learn a new skill that will progress your personal or professional development.

It’s easy to surrender and fall victim to your circumstances — and eventually suffer signs of burnout.

Can you, instead, summon the courage to change the things within your power?

What’s one thing within your power that you can change? What will you do today to create that change in your life?

Seeking Wisdom to Know the Difference

Positive change only starts when you understand the difference between what you can change and what you cannot.

And that’s where you and so many women might get stuck.

Before coronavirus, you may have already been struggling with overwhelm. Perhaps it’s a neverending to-do list. Or maybe your life felt upended from a specific event, like a move or divorce.

And the sudden rise of coronavirus felt like the rug was pulled out from beneath you.

It’s tempting to wallow in your overwhelm. To hide and run away.

But that’s only postponing — and often worsening — the problem.

The best thing you can do is to take action. 

But sometimes you don’t know where to start.

Maybe you need a little help determining your next best step moving forward.

Let me help you take that next step with my complimentary “Overcoming Overwhelm” Discovery session. In this 60-minute consultation you’ll:

  • Reveal a clear and compelling vision of what else is possible for your life when you no longer have so much on your plate and are enjoying your life again
  • Get simple and practical tips for how to break free from your symptoms of overwhelm
  • Tap into greater energy and inspiration 
  • Explore how having a partner on your journey will provide a shortcut to all that you desire.

Click here now to sign up for a complimentary “Overcoming Overwhelm” Discovery session.

Whitney believed in me and saw what I couldn’t.

Whitney is a joy to work with. Her compassion, deep listening skills and coaching supported me to accomplish and move forward in areas of my business where I’ve previously felt like I was spinning my wheels. I’m now doing what I set out to do with love and compassion for myself!

Thank you Whitney for believing in me and seeing what I couldn’t. I highly recommend Whitney to anyone interested in upleveling their life and especially upleveling their self-care.

Jill Fischer

CEO, Jill Fischer International

Hi, I’m Whitney

About Me

As an International Speaker, Certified Life Coach, Spiritual Counselor, and Ordained Minister with 3 decades of experience researching personal growth and how we heal from within, I have healed myself from fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, and burnout. My proven strategies help women overcome overwhelm and break free from the burnout cycle. I then partner with them as they reclaim their passion and create the life they desire. Having experienced first-hand the challenges of finding physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual balance, I believe that life is meant to be enjoyed, not endured!!!

A gift for you:

Coping with Coronavirus: Strengthening Your Mental and Emotional Well-Being

Burnout, Self-Care, Self-Love

We’re seeing and hearing it everywhere. 

It has flooded the news, social media feeds, and our daily conversations.

Coronavirus.

COVID-19.

It can feel downright terrifying.

Grocery stores are picked clean as people prepare for quarantine. Companies are letting go of employees. Rumors of another recession loom on the internet. 

Here, where I live, in Palm Beach County Florida, “non-essential businesses” have recently been ordered to close to slow the spread of the coronavirus in South Florida, which is the “epicenter” of the state’s outbreak. 

That means  nearly every form of public entertainment is off limits. Now it’s up to me to entertain myself – a challenge I’ve always enjoyed.

Thankfully, many businesses are considered “essential” and remain open. Lucky for me, that includes my favorite grocery store and hardware store. 

Amidst all this, I realize that I have a lot to be grateful for… 

  • My family members are all healthy, including me.
  • My husband and I don’t have to travel for a few months. 
  • We can still get food, fuel and other supplies (except toilet paper – I can’t figure out why that is in such high demand, and I’m grateful for tissues).
  • I can work from home (and enjoy doing so).
  • Our air conditioner is working (a necessity when you live in South Florida).

I don’t know how long this situation will last, yet I feel confident that I can handle it… that we can handle it.

You may be wondering, “How can she feel so confident?”

It’s because I believe that everything happens for a reason. Regardless of what’s happening around me, I trust that the Universe has my back, no matter what. The greatest gift that I’ve given myself is learning how to let go of control and live in the certainty that everything will work out for my highest good. 

So, in the face of this pandemic, what can YOU do to not only cope but actually strengthen your mental and emotional well-being? 

Let’s first look at what you might be feeling right now…

You might be feeling fear. Anxiety. Overwhelm. Signs of burnout, even.

That’s why I am deeply committed to supporting you to feel calm and empowered again, mentally and emotionally.

Here are some tips for how to find hope, peace, and calm amidst the chaos.

#1 Limit Your Media Exposure

You want to stay informed on the latest developments. So little is known about coronavirus and you want to protect yourself and your loved ones.

But your search for updates can quickly turn into an obsession. Beyond regular disinfecting and avoiding crowded places, what more can you do?

Are the news notifications you receive every hour worth the added stress and anxiety? Will you allow coronavirus to occupy not just your newsfeed but your mind, as well?

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by news surrounding coronavirus, consider limiting your media exposure. Perhaps you can check it just once per day — preferably in the late morning or early afternoon so it doesn’t interfere with your morning productivity or sleep quality. Or avoid it entirely and get the highlights from a trusted family or friend.

#2 Make Quality Sleep a Priority

If sleep isn’t a priority for you already, now is a good time to change that. 

Studies show that insufficient sleep can have a negative effect on your immune system. “Without sufficient sleep,” The Sleep Foundation reports, “your body makes fewer cytokines, a type of protein that targets infection and inflammation, effectively creating an immune response.”

Give your body the strength and rest it needs to protect you from coronavirus. 

If you want to boost your immune system…

If you want to restore your energy… 

If you want to soothe any stress and anxiety triggered by recent news…

Start prioritizing your sleep. That means getting a minimum of seven to eight hours of sleep.

If you struggle with falling asleep or staying asleep throughout the night, be sure to check out my advice on how to overcome insomnia.

#3 Journal Your Worries

Uncertainty is sometimes the most frightening. 

So little is known about coronavirus and the situation is evolving everyday. With each answer received, more questions surface.

And staying calm while you wait for more answers is so challenging — especially with news of businesses shutting down and lockdowns being initiated.

“How will I be affected?” you think to yourself.

A calm mind feels nearly impossible when you’re overwhelmed by anxiety, fear, and stress.

Journaling can be the emotional release you need. 

And it doesn’t have to be a structured process either. You can just write about how you’re feeling. Maybe write a prayer for yourself and your loved ones. Or just what you hope to achieve during the day.

Anything you want. All that clutter in your mind and heart — get it down on paper.

Journaling might not cure coronavirus. But it can do wonders in managing your overwhelm.

#4 Consume Immune-Boosting Foods

Social distancing and disinfectant wipes are great for your external defense. But don’t forget to fortify your internal defense, as well. Share on X

Social distancing and disinfectant wipes are great for your external defense. But don’t forget to fortify your internal defense, as well.

Consuming the right foods will give your immune system the boost it needs to keep you physically,  mentally, and emotionally resilient.

On your next grocery run (or home delivery), consider filling your cart with these superfoods:

  • Citrus fruits for a potent dose of vitamin C
  • Broccoli, which is packed with vitamins A and C
  • Spinach for antioxidants
  • Greek yogurt for probiotics
  • Grapes and raspberries for quercetin, a chemical that combats infection

You may also want to stock up on frozen proteins and vegetables, canned goods, and other consumables. Mandatory quarantine is a possibility and you’ll want to prepare while you can.

#5 Take Deep Breaths

When dealing with coronavirus, your mind can get pulled in different directions. 

I need to stock up on supplies. How do I protect my family? Will this affect my livelihood?

The fear and uncertainty surrounding coronavirus might push you into panic mode. You’re scrambling to get things done but the sheer anxiety and overwhelm is sometimes paralyzing.

When this happens, sometimes the best thing to do is also the simplest — take a deep breath.

Try it right now.

Slowly breathe in through your nose as you count to five. Feel the oxygen expanding your body — your belly fills, your chest stretches, your shoulders rise.

Hold the breath for seven seconds.

Now exhale even slower as you count to ten. At the same time, imagine all your stress and worries being released from your body. How did that make you feel?

You might feel more calm and clear-headed. This is because deep breathing is known to invoke your body’s relaxation response.

Deep breathing helps focus and center your scattered attention within your body.

Do you have another tip to help you stay calm during this time of uncertainty? Share it with me in the comments below.

#6 Seek Help

There is little speculation on when the coronavirus outbreak will end. And listening to the news might leave you feeling powerless and overwhelmed.

There is just so much on your mind. You need to stock up. You’re worried for your loved ones. You might be panicking for your own safety.

When this happens, remember to practice the deep breathing exercise I shared earlier.

When you’re feeling calm, remember that you are neither helpless or alone. You can still feel empowered during this pandemic.

And if you need real strategies on how to manage the sudden overwhelm brought upon by coronavirus, I encourage you to accept my gift of an “Overcoming Overwhelm” Discovery session. In this 60-minute consultation you’ll:

  • Reveal a clear and compelling vision of what else is possible for your life when you no longer have so much on your plate and are enjoying your life again
  • Get simple and practical tips for how to break free from your symptoms of overwhelm
  • Tap into greater energy and inspiration 
  • Explore how having a partner on your journey will provide a shortcut to all that you desire.

Click here now to sign up for a complimentary “Overcoming Overwhelm” Discovery session.

Whitney believed in me and saw what I couldn’t.

Whitney is a joy to work with. Her compassion, deep listening skills and coaching supported me to accomplish and move forward in areas of my business where I’ve previously felt like I was spinning my wheels. I’m now doing what I set out to do with love and compassion for myself!

Thank you Whitney for believing in me and seeing what I couldn’t. I highly recommend Whitney to anyone interested in upleveling their life and especially upleveling their self-care.

Jill Fischer

CEO, Jill Fischer International

Hi, I’m Whitney

About Me

As an International Speaker, Certified Life Coach, Spiritual Counselor, and Ordained Minister with 3 decades of experience researching personal growth and how we heal from within, I have healed myself from fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, and burnout. My proven strategies help women overcome overwhelm and break free from the burnout cycle. I then partner with them as they reclaim their passion and create the life they desire. Having experienced first-hand the challenges of finding physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual balance, I believe that life is meant to be enjoyed, not endured!!!

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