Feeling Overwhelmed?

You are not alone. 

Overwhelm tends to creep in slowly, and suddenly feel heavy. It can cause us to avoid tasks, or make any challenge feel unsurmountable.

For kids, overwhelm can show up as refusal, power struggles, and tantrums. Social emotional coaching can help children learn to express their needs in a more constructive way, and learn tools to help manage overwhelm. Consulting can help parents learn tools for helping manage challenging behaviors.

I have compiled a list of tips for families looking to manage overwhelm. I hope these simple tools help you and your family during this challenging time!

Managing Overwhelm:

  • Simplify + Prioritize

    Start with small, manageable goals. Sort your to-do list into "must do" and "do later." I also sometimes sort my daily to do list into "must do / get to". Or pick the top 3 to-do items for the day and start there. Sorting the list help to conceptualize what is truly needing to be done. Keep the most important tasks in front of you or your child, and let the other items fall away until they become a "must do".

  • Use a Timer

    I often recommend a "Time Timer" to clients. There are other timers, or free online tools like "Howler Timer" or www.tomato-timer.com that help in the same way. Timers help make tasks feel like they have a tangible end. If your child is working on schoolwork and there is no end in sight, that can cause overwhelm. If the same task is being done, and there is a visual timer that shows there is an end in sight, it make it much less overwhelming.

  • Breaks

    Intentional structured breaks can help brains reset and be able to take on more. Trying a fun breathing exercise, doing yoga stretches or jumping jacks, or listening to music are some example of helpful breaks to reset.

  • Schedules

    There is a reason most teachers have a structured schedule for the school day. Kids thrive when they know what to expect, and having a framework helps everyone move through the day more smoothly. The schedule doesn't have to be to the minute, even a loose daily schedule can make a big difference.

  • Delegate or Delete

    Are you doing more than your fair share? What can you (or your child) let go of, and delegate to someone else? How can you allocate some tasks to another person or company? What can you let go of altogether?

  • Celebrate the Small Things

    A simple gratitude practice can make a big difference. Practice celebrating small wins, or positive moments. Some simple ways to include this practice daily is to share one thing you are grateful for, perhaps at a meal or before bed. Another option is to share 3 positive moments each evening. A gratitude practice helps train our minds to notice the positive in life.

I hope these tips help you and your family, 
as we look forward to a unique start to the 2020 school year.


In Gratitude,
Ally Schmidt, M.Ed.