When the World Is Spinning Around You

When everything seems to be happening all at once, chaos is swirling around you, and you cannot manage the drama or issues being thrown at you, it can feel overwhelming. Maybe it feels like you are out of control. Maybe you just want to stay in bed and hide under the covers and not deal with the reality awaiting you each day.

Maybe you just feel drained, exhausted by having to keep your guard up all day in an attempt to protect yourself from everything being dumped on you throughout the day. All of these reactions are normal, especially when the world feels upside down. When you feel like you cannot control the world around you, then it is time to make efforts to regain control of the things you can.

You can regain control. You can feel better. Consider these actions to regain your energy:

• Self-care is most important. Get rest, sleep, stick to your usual bedtime routine.

• Make to-do lists to help stay focused. Acknowledge what you achieved at the end of the

  day. Don’t forget to give yourself for the small stuff.

• Tune out and turn off the news, social media, TV, negative people, etc. Anything that

  dwells on the negative needs to be removed from your day.

• Positive affirmations are a must. It is reasonable to say positive things about your day or

  week, and yourself. Acknowledge the small wins-they add up to big wins.

• Do healthy comfort activities. Talk to a friend, read a book (not reality-based), pet a cat

  or dog, exercise, take a walk, enjoy a funny show, expose yourself to sunlight, etc.

• Avoid unhealthy coping behaviors. Limit alcohol use, avoid excessive fatty food.

• What can you control right now? There are things you cannot control BUT there are

  many things you CAN control. Focus on the aspects of your life that you can control and

  influence.

Making time for yourself can help when the world feels chaotic. Don’t let the external chaos control you. Breathe, you are resilient, you are stronger than this mess, you got this!