In today’s society we tend to live our lives on the very fast lane. We tend to have no time for the little things in life like watching the sunset or playing aimlessly with the kids. We put ourselves under immense pressure trying to meet deadlines here and there.

In a whole 24 hour period how often do we simply pause and take in everything around us? Recently I decided to include a 30 minutes walk to my day. During my lunch break I’ll go for a short walk just around my office. It is so amazing the beauty you notice when you’re not under any pressure to make your next appointment.  There is so much beauty around waiting and longing for us to notice like the sound of raindrops, the feeling of the wind blowing on your face and the smell of flowers. Being a busy working mum of two it can be really challenging to strike a comfortable balance of prioritising work, family and my health and wellbeing. In this post I will share with you some of the tips I use when I am feeling overwhelmed.

Sleep is a priority

To be able to function properly and not have a grumpy or stressful day, aim to sleep for up to 8 hours a day. Try and go to bed early and you’ll be able to wake up early too. A good night’s sleep will make you feel better in the morning. Getting out of bed with this contentment will allow you to face and conquer whatever challenge meets you during the day.

I tend to meditate just before bed and first thing in the morning too. In the evening meditation helps me to relax while I appreciate all the good things about that day. In the morning I meditate in gratitude because I feel blessed to be able to see the dawn of another day.

Necessary read: Are You Thinking of Starting Some Meditation?

Healthy/Clean Eating

Diet is very crucial especially in days when you are feeling overwhelmed. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables. The recommendation is up to five portions of different fruits and vegetables a day. Nuts too are very important.

Plan your meals in advance such that a week’s menu should include fish, poultry, meat, carbohydrates, vitamins, fibres, minerals and fats.

Drink as much water as possible and up to 8 glasses or 2 litres in a day.

Singing/Dancing

This is a favourite stress management tip. During gloomy moments when it seems life is dragging me down, after completing my evening activities with the kids, I get changed into my exercise outfit, go on YouTube and I hit the dance floor with a bang. I sing to the tunes, rock to the beats and my family do join me at times and it’s a full blown dancing party. We laugh at each other’s move, crack jokes and it is so fun and entertaining. After about 45 minutes we are done. Everyone is feeling energised and happy.

Spend time in nature whenever possible

This is by far the most important tip. Spending time in nature has been shown to help decrease stress levels. The fresh air will clear up your lungs and improve circulation of oxygenated blood. Walking to the park/outdoor space is a form of exercise which re-energises you, clears your mind and not forgetting the added advantage of getting vitamin D. Nature in itself is so calming and it encourages you to focus on your breathing and be more mindful and at ease.

Necessary read: Benefits of Deep Breathing You Need To Know

Ask for help

Try and ask for help from colleagues, friends and family when feeling under pressure. Moreover we can’t do everything by ourselves. Asking for help is no way near a sign of weakness. Break down your day into manageable chunks. Outsource some of your workload. Learn to say no and not feel guilty about it. Read and understand your entire body and be kind to yourself.

What do you do when you are feeling overwhelmed? Use the comments section below to tell us more.