Being overwhelmed is something that happens all too often, and an issue many of us face in both our personal and professional lives. The feeling of being overwhelmed can take many forms and can affect everyone differently. Many common symptoms of being overwhelmed include:

• Difficulty concentrating
• Procrastination or avoidance
• Dreased productivity
• Fatigue and changes to sleep pattern
• Social withdrawal with a sense of being buried under responsibilities

Although no one wants to feel overwhelmed, we can expect this feeling to arise at certain points in our lives. In our professional lives, we can expect to feel overwhelmed towards the end of the quarter, or you may have an important deadline approaching with one of your top clients. Understanding when you can expect these busy periods to arise will allow you to plan and prepare for them, minimising the level of anxiety and stress experienced.

As leaders within your organisation, or the Executive Assistant supporting them, understanding when your peers are likely to become overwhelmed will also allow you to plan effectively. You may encourage your team to practice self-care to help them relax and destress, or perhaps as an Executive Assistant you decide to provide an extra level of shielding from non-essential requests. The important thing to remember is you should be a calm presence for your team or your Executive.

Whether you are preparing for yourself or your Executive, there are steps that can be taken to ensure you minimise the effects of feeling overwhelmed.

Build a strong foundation

• Establish a routine
• Prioritise sleep and nutrition
• Practice regular self-care

Practice flexibility

• Be ready to adapt
• Learn to say no

Time Management Skills

• Prioritise tasks by urgency and importance
• Set realistic goals
• Break tasks up into smaller steps

Develop coping mechanisms

• Practice mindfulness and meditation
• Start a journal
• Know when to ask for help

Periods of feeling overwhelmed also spring up on us unexpectedly, and sometimes there is very little we can do to avoid it- it happens to everyone! By taking a step back and implementing processes for self-care, time management, and coping mechanisms, you’ll be surprised what you can overcome!