Burnout, Overwhelm, Self-Care, Self-Love
Thanksgiving has passed, but do you still find yourself holding your breath?
The holidays aren’t over. December still holds so much holiday stress and errands…
- Buying gifts
- Sending invitations
- Running errands
- Decorating your home
- Wrapping presents
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed!
And if you have Superwoman Syndrome, trying to tackle it all alone, you’re bound to burn out.
“The pressure of trying to do everything ― plan the perfect holiday, make it home to see your family, say yes to every event, meet those year-end deadlines ― can be enough to send anyone into a tail spin,” said Carolyn Gregoire in the HuffPost.
Instead of admiring the twinkling lights and enjoying the warmth of friends and family, you’re feeling overwhelmed, anxious, drained and maybe even isolated.
So, Whitney, what can I do?
The secret to staying empowered during the holidays is realizing that you don’t have to do everything yourself. Instead, rely on your support systems.
Here’s why.
How Support Systems Can Bring You Joy During the Holidays
The holidays feel like they should be a time of joy but so much of the time they don’t feel like that… More often, stress and the holidays seem to go hand-in-hand.
Tackling your holiday errands while fulfilling your normal responsibilities stretches you thin.
But when you start loosening your grip on the reigns and relying on the people in your support systems, you may notice…
- You feel more emotionally supported
- You lessen the load on your plate and reduce your holiday stress
- You are more resilient to sickness (helpful during flu season!)
- You have more time to actually experience joy and ease during the holidays!
But you probably already know how asking for help can help you. So, why don’t you do it?
Could it be the excuses you’re telling yourself?
….I don’t even have enough time to ask… It’s awkward asking for help… They’re too busy and I don’t want to be a bother…
Here’s the thing about support systems. They’re a two-way street! You can ask others for help when you need it, the same way they can ask you for help when they need it.
That’s how powerful bonds that last a lifetime are forged.
And during the holidays, it’s critical to ask for help when you need it if you want to stay empowered. Here are a few ways to lean on your support systems during the holiday season.
3 Tips for Relying on Your Support Systems to Reduce Holiday Stress
#1 Use Teamwork to Tackle Holiday Errands
Although your obligations may increase during the holidays, the number of hours you have in a day remains the same.
Doing everything yourself may result in burnout and you may possibly make yourself sick (the last thing you want during the holiday season!).
Delegating certain tasks to friends and family members can help you stay on top of things. For example, you can…
- Have your children run errands, like buying groceries and picking up dry cleaning
- Designate areas of your home to each family member for tidying up
- Ask your partner to help put up holiday decorations
- If you’re hosting the holiday party, consider making it a potluck. Each person can contribute to the holiday meal, lessening the prep and cooking you’ll have to do that day.
- Holding a Secret Santa gift exchange may also reduce the amount of gift shopping and wrapping you’ll have to do!
Lessening the pile on your plate can reduce holiday stress while freeing up more time (and mental bandwidth) to experience joy and intimacy during the holidays.
#2 Be Vulnerable (It’s not as scary as it sounds!)
After this crazy year and now seasonal affective disorder settling in, you might be prone to negative emotions during this time of the year.
Elevated stress, anxiety and overwhelm can make it a struggle just to get out of bed.
So, what might your go-to reaction be?
Bottle it up?
But like putting a lid on a boiling pot, your emotions can tend to rise and may spill over into hopelessness and self-sabotaging behavior.
Being open and vulnerable can help you channel those emotions in a healthy way.
But that’s scary!
Here’s an important thing about your support systems. Choosing the right people to keep close to your heart also means choosing people who love you, support you and uplift you.
So, if you’re feeling down, reach out.
It doesn’t always have to be your partner. You can bond with a close friend or family member and share how you’re feeling.
You might discover that simply unburdening your emotions can lead to greater clarity, joy and ease.
#3 Have Fun With a Loved One
Finally, just have fun.
Too often, you might associate the holidays with stress and errands so that you forget it’s also a time for relaxing, strengthening bonds and appreciating life.
And you don’t have to wait until the day of the celebration either.
If you’re feeling isolated or just need a break from the daily grind, spend time with your loved ones:
- Catch up with your friends over a video call
- Plan a picnic at the park with your partner
- Schedule a movie night with the family
- Have a spa day at home with the girls
The holidays can be the perfect opportunity to unwind and introduce a little seasonal joy and self-care into your life.
You’re not alone
This article is about leaning on your support systems during the holidays.
But you might still be hesitant about asking for help when you need it. Or the thought of sharing your thoughts and emotions with somebody is terrifying.
If you want to reach out but don’t know quite how to do it in a way that makes you feel empowered, I’m here as part of your support system. So, claim a Complimentary 30-minute “Break Free from the Superwoman Syndrome” Discovery session with me.
In this 30-minute consultation, you’ll:
- Reveal a clear and compelling vision of what else is possible for your life when you’re no longer trying to do it all by yourself and, instead, are receiving the support that you crave
- Tap into greater love, ease, and joy
- Explore how having a partner on your journey will provide a shortcut to all that you desire.
Click here now to claim your Complimentary “Break Free from the Superwoman Syndrome” Discovery session.
Overwhelm, Self-Care, Self-Love
“I’m so overwhelmed…”
Lately, it seems like this is the prevalent thought occupying space in your mind throughout the day. With all that’s going on in the world, it’s natural to feel your stress levels rising. But it doesn’t help when there’s already so much on your plate!
Running errands. Looking after the kids. Finding work/life balance (especially if you’re working from home). Now, you might be feeling distressed by the latest news surrounding COVID-19 and social unrest.
The cycle repeats with barely a moment to breathe and center yourself and eventually, signs of burnout start to settle in.
It’s time to rely on your support systems.
- When you feel overwhelmed, your support systems offer a helping hand.
- When you feel isolated, your support systems remind you that you are loved.
- When you feel yourself faltering, your support systems offer encouragement.
Physical distancing doesn’t mean you have to stay socially distant. You can still cultivate profound connections with your friends and loved ones! And by the end of this article, you will learn how to build your own support systems that empower you during stressful times.
The Importance of a Support System
Healthy and strong relationships are essential — especially if you’ve been feeling lonely during self-isolation. Harvard Medical School found that social connections “not only give us pleasure; they also influence our long-term health in ways every bit as powerful as adequate sleep, a good diet, and not smoking.”
That’s right. Connection is just as crucial to your well-being as proper nutrition and quality sleep. When you have strong relationships, you also have incredible support systems that help you:
- Live longer
- Heal from injury and sickness quicker
- Lower your blood pressure
- Fortify your immune system
- Improve your heart health.
When you’re feeling overwhelmed with life, your support systems can help you feel focused and empowered again. They can offer you advice and encouragement when you’re stuck on a problem. Or they can simply offer an ear when you need to vent your frustrations.
Developing relationships is essential to your mental and even physical well-being. Here are a few tips for building support systems in your own life.
5 Tips for Building Support Systems that Will Empower You During Stressful Times
#1 Find Women on the Same Journey As You
Realizing your goals doesn’t have to be a solitary mission. There are so many women working toward the same things you want to achieve, whether it’s living a healthier lifestyle, building stronger relationships, or advancing in their careers.
Someone on the same journey as you will probably experience similar struggles. She can be someone who helps you tackle a shared problem and whom you can share your victories with.
You can also act as accountability partners to each other, continuously pushing each other to learn, grow, and achieve.
Share one goal you’re trying to achieve in the comments below. You just might find a kindred spirit on the same journey as you!
#2 Create More Intentional Family Time
There are many types of personal support systems and family is one of the most essential.
When was the last time your home had family time?
Pre-coronavirus, you went to work, ran errands, and attended to tasks. Your children were at school, playing sports, or spending time with their friends.
Now, you and your partner might be working from home and your children might be taking online courses. Even with businesses reopening, it can still be a good idea to continue practicing physical distancing.
Since you see more of each other, why not spend some quality time together?
Sit around the dinner table as a family. Vote on a movie to watch together. Pull out the board games!
You can cultivate connection right at home with your own family.
#3 Check in Regularly
These uncertain times of COVID-19 provide a good opportunity to check in on your friends and family. A simple text saying, “Hey, I hope you’re staying safe and healthy” can make the people within your support systems feel loved and appreciated.
But you don’t have to stop at texting. A phone call or a video call can personalize the conversation. In this day and age where our attention is so fractured, giving 100% of your focus and attention on the person you’re talking to can deepen your relationship and strengthen your bonds.
#4 Join an Online Hobby Group
During self-isolation, you might have picked up a hobby or two to help you tap into your creative flow.
The internet has created so many avenues to expand your social circle and engage with people with similar interests. For example, if you finally started on that book you always wanted to write, you can find a Facebook group for aspiring authors.
Just because you’re not physically in the same room as other people doesn’t mean you need to stop communicating with other people altogether. You can seek online groups where you and other like-minded women can engage and cultivate a shared passion.
#5 Get Comfortable Asking for Help
Asking for help can be the hardest thing to do when you’re feeling upset and overwhelmed.
Maybe it’s because you don’t want to inconvenience other people. Or perhaps you feel you’re not worthy.
Yet, asking for help and relying on your support systems is what helps you to thrive.
By choosing to ask for help and working with a certified life coach instead of attempting to go it alone, I was able to more quickly and effectively manage my stress, reverse my burnout and start feeling empowered again.
So, if you’re tired of feeling stressed and anxious and want to know what it would look like to have me as part of YOUR support system, join me in a 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.
