Some Cures for Common Chaos....

1. Take the time to nourish your body
When we get busy we tend to eat on the run and when we are hungry, we tend to grab what's handy (pastry, chips, processed foods, etc). When nutrition is low, the body & mind can't function at their highest capacity - so then the overwhelm quickly moves into chaos...! Pack some fruit or a low sugar nutritional bar in your bag to keep you going. Also, make sure you are drinking enough water. Remember food is medicine :) 

2. Sleep, my child
When the overwhelm strikes? Often that leads to working late nights AND early mornings. Also, its harder to fall asleep/sleep soundly when the brain is spinning with a to-do list. (see #6 & #7 for ways to tame the brain) All of these combined create the perfect recipe for fatigue. Lack of rest, lowers our ability to focus and accomplish tasks, which then adds to the cycle of overwhelm :( So it's important to make sure you are well rested in order to function at your best. Taking a day or even an evening to breathe can be a key to managing stress levels

3. Decompress the Stress
We all have times when we are distracted by life's transitions and overwhelmed by emotional situations. Acknowledge that sometimes it's ok to feel down or not 100%. Give yourself permission to take care of yourself. Assess the major events that are happening - often it's not just One Thing. Find ways to manage whatever's going on - support group, therapy, journal, talk to a friend, exercise - do things that make you feel good! Sometimes, we can't change what's going on around us, but we do have the ability to change our ways of coping. These are the most important times to check in with #1 & #2

4. Environmental Check....
Sometimes, when the busyness sets in, this leads to our home or office looking like Kansas after the storm. Yikes! The reality is that most people function more efficiently when their space is tidy and things are organized. If those dishes are piling up & you can't see the surface of your desk? Then it might be a good idea to schedule time to catch up- your life is going to feel chaotic if you're environment is chaotic. Having things clean & clear will really help your brain to think more clearly.

5. Blow off some steam! 
Often during times of overwhelm life begins to take on this urgency, we feel like we can't stop because there is so much to get done. Taking some down time to be with friends, watch a movie, etc, will enable us to return to work with renewed vigor. Fill the well with activities that promote self-care like - massage, bath, or pedicure, etc. In addition, exercise & meditation can be key to keeping the body balanced. Also, even a few moments of fresh air or bonding with Mother Nature can be super calming. Check out Charlie & Snoopy below....

6. Are you Trying to do too much?
On Monday in my Mastermind Group, my coach, Cari Cole said something that really resonated with me. Most people only have the ability to successfully focus on 3 projects simultaneously. When we have too many pans in the fire, then it is common for chaos to ensue... Assess what's on your plate & see what you can let go of. Look at each project, make a to-do, prioritize tasks & then break each one down into smaller pieces. It's much easier to manage things step by step. Also, look at your list and see if there are things that you can outsource to other people.

7. The Sunday Summit
One day a week, Take some time and plan your goals for the week. Schedule the time to accomplish your tasks. When we are looking at a to-do list that's 10 feet long. It's hard to know where to begin & then the brain begins to spin. It's much more managable when we have an organized list and time allotted in our calendar to get specific things done.

8. Learn to say, No
If you are already overwhelmed, remember it's OK to prioritize your health, your work, your goals & your family/friends. Just because someone asks doesn't mean you have to say Yes :) And that doesn't make you a bad person. Remember, it's really hard to take care of everyone else when you're not taking care of you ....

Hope that Helps! And please do leave a Comment with your favorite Tips!!