“Why Does Everything Feel Like a Lot Right Now?”

“Why Does Everything Feel Like a Lot Right Now?”

Discover powerful natural approaches to help you to take back control and move from overwhelm to calm, clarity and balance.

Recently I have been feeling quite overwhelmed.  There is so much to do, so many deadlines and everything is ultra important. Sound familiar? Read on…….

Overwhelm doesn’t tend to appear out of the blue, it is usually the result of a build up or stacking of a number of things.  It’s not just being busy, it’s feeling under pressure, the urgency to get everything done at once.  Making decisions, what to focus on first, it can all get a bit too much and then we either move into a feeling of chaos, running around like headless chickens trying to do everything but not completing anything, or we might move into the freeze mode where we just can’t seem to make any decision or complete any task. 

So what really happens?

1. Too many demands at once
   When work, family, social obligations, health challenges, financial stress and personal goals all compete for your attention, your brain struggles to prioritise. Everything feels urgent, even when it isn’t.
2. Lack of control
   If situations feel unpredictable or out of your hands—deadlines, finances, other people’s decisions—it creates stress because your mind can’t “solve” the problem, there is a constant sense of tension.
3. Information overload
   Constant notifications, news, social media, emails, and multitasking flood your attention – it all adds up. Even if each one seems small, the cumulative effect can leave your mind feeling crowded and unfocused. Your brain isn’t built to process that much input continuously, so it starts to shut down or feel scattered.
4. Perfectionism and high expectations
   Setting unrealistically high standards (or feeling like others expect them) turns even small tasks into heavy mental loads. Nothing feels “done enough or well enough.”
5. Insufficient rest or recovery
   Lack of sleep, downtime, or emotional support reduces your ability to handle stress dops significantly and your capacity to cope plummets. Even manageable tasks can feel huge when your mental energy is low.

When you are dealing with particularly stressful situations, the fear, exhaustion, uncertainty that they cause can throw you into this state of overwhelm also.  Challenges around

• Health Concerns
• Relationship challenges
• Financial Worries
• Exam nerves & anxiety
• Overworking, burning the candle at both end.

…………can all lead to feelings of overwhelm and stress.

We all experience overwhelm to some degree at some point in their lives.  Because of our personalities, situations or experiences, how we deal with overwhelm will differ for each of us.

As humans we have this amazing biological response system that is designed to help us when we feel threatened. Unfortunately, this same system can cause major issues if it remains switched on…which is what can happen in times of prolonged stress and overwhelm.

1. The “fight or flight” response

When your brain detects a threat, the autonomic nervous system is activated, triggering the release of hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. As a result, the heart rate increases, our breathing becomes faster, blood is redirected to muscles and digestion slows down.

This is normal, however, if we remain in this state for a prolonged period, this is when the damage can happen.

2. Effects on the brain

Did you know that chronic stress can actually change how your brain works:

• The hippocampus (memory and learning) can shrink over time
• The prefrontal cortex (decision-making, focus) becomes less effective
• The amygdala becomes more reactive, making you more sensitive to stress

This is why stress can affect memory, concentration, and emotional control.

3. Effects on the body

Then there is the long-term stress impact on multiple systems:

• Cardiovascular system:  with increased blood pressure, there is strain on the heart
• Immune system: ongoing suppressed immunity, makes you more prone to illness
• Digestive system: issues like stomach discomfort or changes in appetite are common
• Muscles: constant tension, leading to headaches and all over body pain

4. Acute vs chronic stress

Short-term stress (like before an exam) can actually improve performance.
The issue is chronic stress—when the body never fully “switches off.”

Over time, this leads to chronic stress burden.

So now we know that stress is a normal response, but prolonged overwhelm will cause fundamental issues on all levels – emotional, physical and mental.

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How do you deal with stress and overwhelm in your life?

1. Firstly, it is important to be aware that it is perfectly normal in today’s world to experience overwhelm and stress. Once you accept this, the next most important thing to do is have a plan! You know it’s going to happen, and when it happens you may not be in a fit state of mind to think rationally about how to deal with this state….vicious circle so to speak.
2. Know yourself as much as possible, you want to be able to recognise when you are in a state of overwhelm.
3. For me, I find it hard to think straight, make decisions when I am in this state so my pre-made plan is to:
   1. Remember to use my breath intentionally, breathing through the overwhelm.
   2. Book myself in for a Healing with my amazing spiritual healer. He takes the responsibility out of my hands initially, which is important for me.  He will work away on clearing my energy, channelling amazing healing energy, rebalancing, grounding and reconnecting me.  After a healing, I tend to feel relaxed, more connected and my mind feels clearer.  Sometimes I might need follow up sessions, but this initial session helps me to begin to release the fears and overwhelm that has caused me to become stuck.
   3. Keep breathing intentionally………
   4. Select the right homeopathic remedy to support my return to natural balance and calm.

Homeopathic Remedies for Overwhelm:

Aconite – the sudden storm

This is the kind that hits out of nowhere. Everything feels urgent and intense, and your body goes into full alarm mode.

You might feel panicky, restless, or on edge—as if something bad is about to happen.

Argentum nitricum – the overthinker

Your mind is running ahead, imagining every possible outcome (most of them not great).

Deadlines, plans, even small events can spiral into “what if this goes wrong?”

Nux vomica – the “I’ll just push through” type

You’re capable, driven… and possibly running on caffeine and determination alone.

You take on a lot, expect a lot, and feel the strain when things don’t go smoothly (or people don’t keep up).

Sepia – the running-on-empty feeling

This is overwhelm that’s been around a while.

You’re tired, maybe a bit detached, and the things you used to care about feel like effort. It’s less “too much to do” and more “I don’t have the energy.”

Calcarea carbonica – the quiet worrier

This one is less obvious, but just as heavy.

There’s a steady sense of responsibility, pressure, and “can I keep up with all of this?”

Ignatia – the emotional overload

This kind of overwhelm sits in the heart as much as the head.

It often follows disappointment, grief, or holding a lot in. You may feel sensitive, tearful, or like you’re just about holding it together.

Moving gently out of overwhelm

Alongside the right remedy, small shifts can make a big difference:

• Doing one thing at a time (even if your brain insists everything is urgent)
• Taking proper pauses—not just scrolling breaks, leave the screens alone for a while
• Letting something be “good enough” – it’s an amazing feeling when you let it sink in
• Getting rest before you feel completely exhausted – if you are exhausted, it becomes almost impossible to function

Nothing dramatic. Just small ways of telling your system: you’re safe, you can slow down.

A takeaway thought

Overwhelm isn’t a sign that you’re not coping—it’s often a sign that you’ve been coping for too long without enough support.

And sometimes, the first step isn’t doing more…it’s allowing things to soften, just a little.

Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment.  Consult your medical practitioner should you need to do so.