<p>When dealing with too much stress to the point that you feel overwhelmed, try focusing on the idea that this is a reality which yourself you might have created. True or not, think next to the fact that we create our own reality. Therefore, imagine another one, which is calmer and which allows you to do your tasks one at a time. </p>


Dealing with too much stress

<p>When feeling overwhelmed, try some steps in order to feel better, such as the below ones:<br>Try to rest your mind, even for a few minutes at a time<br>Make a list that contains three most important tasks that have to be accomplished and focused on them before solving everything else that is less important</p>


Steps to start feeling better 

<p>You decide on how you experience your day, that is one thing we are all well aware of.  So why not choosing to fulfill one task at a time, to focus on one person or challenge at a time? Take things easier and enjoy all the moments your life is made up of. </p>


Teach yourself how to better enjoy your stressful days

<!DOCTYPE html><html>
<body>
<header>
<div>
<div>
<h1><a href="/">zen habits</a></h1>
</div>
<nav><div><ul><li><a href="https://zenhabits.net/training/">training</a></li>
<li><a href="https://zenhabits.net/books/">books</a></li>
<li><a href="https://zenhabits.net/about/">about</a></li>
<li><a href="https://zenhabits.net/archives/">Archives</a></li>
</ul></div></nav>
<div>
<h1><a href="https://zenhabits.net/more">breathe</a></h1>
</div>
</div>
</header> 
<div>
<h2>When You’re Drowning in Tasks, Overwhelm &amp; Stress</h2>
<div>
<h4>By <a href="http://leobabauta.com">Leo Babauta</a></h4>
<p>I recently talked with a couple of people who are just absolutely slammed with business because of the current crisis, and feel like they are drowning in busyness and stress.</p>
<p>I can relate to that feeling — I’ve experienced it a bunch of times, including recently.</p>
<p>So I’m writing this guide to help you, if you’re drowning in your tasks, busyness, overwhelm and stress.</p>
<p>It’s something you can completely shift, if you decide you’re tired of it.</p>
<p>Let’s look at what’s possible, and then how to shift it.</p>
<h3>The Realization</h3>
<p>The realization I had is that when I feel like I’m overwhelmed and drowning in tasks … is that <strong>I created this experience for myself</strong>.</p>
<p>I denied this truth for a long time, but it’s a realization that was very powerful for me.</p>
<p><strong>If I created the reality of being swamped and overwhelmed … I can create a completely different reality</strong>. I’m not a victim of my circumstances.</p>
<p>It might not feel like this is an experience you’re creating for yourself, and I get that. It’s simply because you have too much to do, and not enough time! But I’ve experienced it both ways, and I can tell you that we can create a different reality.</p>
<p>Let’s imagine something different …</p>
<p>You’re doing all of your tasks with completely focus. You’re at peace, calm. You are in love with the world, and grateful for this moment.</p>
<p>You’re doing all the same things, but the experience is entirely different.</p>
<p>What would that be like for you?</p>
<h3>First Steps</h3>
<p>Before we can shift that, we need to do a couple things first …</p>
<p>We have to start by recognizing that we’re incredibly stressed, and probably pretty tired. This needs to be taken care of before we can do much else.</p>
<p>So start by dropping your attention into your body, in a simple form of meditation. Notice how you feel. Notice the feeling of stress, of tiredness, of overwhelm. Without judgment, with full compassion. Give these feelings some space, and let yourself take some deep breaths. Give yourself compassion and take care of yourself. If you can do this for 5-10 minutes, it will make a world of difference. I’ve found that if you can do 30 minutes, it’s almost like a mini-vacation — you return nicely rested. A nap helps too!</p>
<p>The second step is to triage. Make a list of everything you have to do, all your tasks and meetings and calls and appointments and errands, if you don’t already have a list. Put as much on it as you can think of — including tasks from within messages and emails. This is your exhaustive list. Now triage: cross off ones you don’t need to do, mark other ones to be done later, send others to be done by other people. Of the remaining tasks, mark the top 3. Put those 3 on a new list to focus on. The rest you will try to get through when those top 3 are done.</p>
<p>This triaging will allow you to have a smaller list to focus on, instead of worrying about the rest. Below the list of top 3 tasks, add your hard appointments with their times. Now you can focus on one thing at a time.</p>
<h3>Creating a New Experience</h3>
<p>Now let’s talk about creating a different experience for yourself. You can choose how to experience your day.</p>
<p>Think of yourself as the Zen Master of your workplace.</p>
<p>You either take on what’s in front of you (someone talking to you, a situation you need to take care of right now, etc.) … or you pick a single task or message to focus on. This will be given your full attention. It is your entire universe.</p>
<p>You are fully devoted to this task, this email, this person in front of you. It is important enough to invest a portion of your life to. You fully immerse yourself in it.</p>
<p>You are fully present, in the moment. You experience the moment as peaceful, calm, open and joyful.</p>
<p>You are appreciative of this beautiful moment, as a tremendous gift to yourself. You are grateful to have all of this in your life, grateful to be alive.</p>
<p>Move through this task or situation, creating this experience for yourself. Breathe. Relax. Open to the beauty of this moment, this task, this person you’re with.</p>
<p>Keep practicing in this way.</p>
<p>You can create your experience. You’ll often go back to the old way you experience life, out of habit. Notice this, and return to the experience you’d like to have.</p>
<p>Become the flowing, focused, deeply appreciative, relaxed, joyful Zen Master of your world.</p>
</div> 
<h5></h5>
<div>
</div> 
<div>

<p><span>Previous post:</span><br/><a href="https://zenhabits.net/new-normal/">The New Normal</a></p>
</div> 
</div> 
<footer>
<div>
<div>
<h1>Life-changing training programs and live experiences</h1>
<h1>from Zen Habits:</h1>
<div>
<a href="https://seachange.zenhabits.net/">
<div>
<img src="https://pz6ku3y3444u8xcj4fkvykk5-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/themes/zh4/images/logos/sc-logo.svg"/>
<p>Transformation,<br/>one change at a time</p>
</div>
</a>
<a href="https://fearless.zenhabits.net/">
<div>
<img src="https://pz6ku3y3444u8xcj4fkvykk5-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/themes/zh4/images/logos/ft-logo.svg"/>
<p>Fall in love with<br/>uncertainty</p>
</div>
</a>
<a href="https://ignite.zenhabits.net/fearless-mastery?utm_source=zen_habits&amp;utm_medium=website&amp;utm_campaign=fearless_mastery&amp;utm_content=footer_box">
<div>
<img src="https://pz6ku3y3444u8xcj4fkvykk5-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/themes/zh4/images/logos/fm-logo.svg"/>
<p>6-month mastermind<br/>and Costa Rica intensive</p>
</div>
</a>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<form>
<input/>
<input/>
<input/>
<input/>
<input/>
<input/>
<input/>
<div>
<div>
<div>
Get Zen Habits in Your Inbox
</div>
</div>
<div>

<div>
<input/>
</div>
</div>
<div>

<div>
<input/>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<button>
Get Updates
</button>
</div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
</div>
</form>
</div><script>
				window.cfields = [];
				window._show_thank_you = function(id, message, trackcmp_url) {
				var form = document.getElementById('_form_' + id + '_'), thank_you = form.querySelector('._form-thank-you');
				form.querySelector('._form-content').style.display = 'none';
				thank_you.innerHTML = message;
				thank_you.style.display = 'block';
				if (typeof(trackcmp_url) != 'undefined' && trackcmp_url) {
					// Site tracking URL to use after inline form submission.
					_load_script(trackcmp_url);
				}
				if (typeof window._form_callback !== 'undefined') window._form_callback(id);
				};
				window._show_error = function(id, message, html) {
				var form = document.getElementById('_form_' + id + '_'), err = document.createElement('div'), button = form.querySelector('button'), old_error = form.querySelector('._form_error');
				if (old_error) old_error.parentNode.removeChild(old_error);
				err.innerHTML = message;
				err.className = '_error-inner _form_error _no_arrow';
				var wrapper = document.createElement('div');
				wrapper.className = '_form-inner';
				wrapper.appendChild(err);
				button.parentNode.insertBefore(wrapper, button);
				document.querySelector('[id^="_form"][id$="_submit"]').disabled = false;
				if (html) {
					var div = document.createElement('div');
					div.className = '_error-html';
					div.innerHTML = html;
					err.appendChild(div);
				}
				};
				window._load_script = function(url, callback) {
					var head = document.querySelector('head'), script = document.createElement('script'), r = false;
					script.type = 'text/javascript';
					script.charset = 'utf-8';
					script.src = url;
					if (callback) {
					script.onload = script.onreadystatechange = function() {
					if (!r && (!this.readyState || this.readyState == 'complete')) {
						r = true;
						callback();
						}
					};
					}
					head.appendChild(script);
				};
				(function() {
				if (window.location.search.search("excludeform") !== -1) return false;
				var getCookie = function(name) {
					var match = document.cookie.match(new RegExp('(^|; )' + name + '=([^;]+)'));
					return match ? match[2] : null;
				}
				var setCookie = function(name, value) {
					var now = new Date();
					var time = now.getTime();
					var expireTime = time + 1000 * 60 * 60 * 24 * 365;
					now.setTime(expireTime);
					document.cookie = name + '=' + value + '; expires=' + now + ';path=/';
				}
					var addEvent = function(element, event, func) {
					if (element.addEventListener) {
					element.addEventListener(event, func);
					} else {
					var oldFunc = element['on' + event];
					element['on' + event] = function() {
						oldFunc.apply(this, arguments);
						func.apply(this, arguments);
					};
					}
				}
				var _removed = false;
				var form_to_submit = document.getElementById('_form_1_');
				var allInputs = form_to_submit.querySelectorAll('input, select, textarea'), tooltips = [], submitted = false;

				var getUrlParam = function(name) {
					var regexStr = '[\?&]' + name + '=([^&#]*)';
					var results = new RegExp(regexStr, 'i').exec(window.location.href);
					return results != undefined ? decodeURIComponent(results[1]) : false;
				};

				for (var i = 0; i < allInputs.length; i++) {
					var regexStr = "field\\[(\\d+)\\]";
					var results = new RegExp(regexStr).exec(allInputs[i].name);
					if (results != undefined) {
					allInputs[i].dataset.name = window.cfields[results[1]];
					} else {
					allInputs[i].dataset.name = allInputs[i].name;
					}
					var fieldVal = getUrlParam(allInputs[i].dataset.name);

					if (fieldVal) {
							if (allInputs[i].dataset.autofill === "false") {
								continue;
							}
					if (allInputs[i].type == "radio" || allInputs[i].type == "checkbox") {
						if (allInputs[i].value == fieldVal) {
						allInputs[i].checked = true;
						}
					} else {
						allInputs[i].value = fieldVal;
					}
					}
				}

				var remove_tooltips = function() {
					for (var i = 0; i < tooltips.length; i++) {
					tooltips[i].tip.parentNode.removeChild(tooltips[i].tip);
					}
					tooltips = [];
				};
				var remove_tooltip = function(elem) {
					for (var i = 0; i < tooltips.length; i++) {
					if (tooltips[i].elem === elem) {
						tooltips[i].tip.parentNode.removeChild(tooltips[i].tip);
						tooltips.splice(i, 1);
						return;
					}
					}
				};
				var create_tooltip = function(elem, text) {
					var tooltip = document.createElement('div'), arrow = document.createElement('div'), inner = document.createElement('div'), new_tooltip = {};
					if (elem.type != 'radio' && elem.type != 'checkbox') {
					tooltip.className = '_error';
					arrow.className = '_error-arrow';
					inner.className = '_error-inner';
					inner.innerHTML = text;
					tooltip.appendChild(arrow);
					tooltip.appendChild(inner);
					elem.parentNode.appendChild(tooltip);
					} else {
					tooltip.className = '_error-inner _no_arrow';
					tooltip.innerHTML = text;
					elem.parentNode.insertBefore(tooltip, elem);
					new_tooltip.no_arrow = true;
					}
					new_tooltip.tip = tooltip;
					new_tooltip.elem = elem;
					tooltips.push(new_tooltip);
					return new_tooltip;
				};
				var resize_tooltip = function(tooltip) {
					var rect = tooltip.elem.getBoundingClientRect();
					var doc = document.documentElement, scrollPosition = rect.top - ((window.pageYOffset || doc.scrollTop)  - (doc.clientTop || 0));
					if (scrollPosition < 40) {
					tooltip.tip.className = tooltip.tip.className.replace(/ ?(_above|_below) ?/g, '') + ' _below';
					} else {
					tooltip.tip.className = tooltip.tip.className.replace(/ ?(_above|_below) ?/g, '') + ' _above';
					}
				};
				var resize_tooltips = function() {
					if (_removed) return;
					for (var i = 0; i < tooltips.length; i++) {
					if (!tooltips[i].no_arrow) resize_tooltip(tooltips[i]);
					}
				};
				var validate_field = function(elem, remove) {
					var tooltip = null, value = elem.value, no_error = true;
					remove ? remove_tooltip(elem) : false;
					if (elem.type != 'checkbox') elem.className = elem.className.replace(/ ?_has_error ?/g, '');
					if (elem.getAttribute('required') !== null) {
					if (elem.type == 'radio' || (elem.type == 'checkbox' && /any/.test(elem.className))) {
						var elems = form_to_submit.elements[elem.name];
						if (!(elems instanceof NodeList || elems instanceof HTMLCollection) || elems.length <= 1) {
						no_error = elem.checked;
						}
						else {
						no_error = false;
						for (var i = 0; i < elems.length; i++) {
							if (elems[i].checked) no_error = true;
						}
						}
						if (!no_error) {
						tooltip = create_tooltip(elem, "Please select an option.");
						}
					} else if (elem.type =='checkbox') {
						var elems = form_to_submit.elements[elem.name], found = false, err = [];
						no_error = true;
						for (var i = 0; i < elems.length; i++) {
						if (elems[i].getAttribute('required') === null) continue;
						if (!found && elems[i] !== elem) return true;
						found = true;
						elems[i].className = elems[i].className.replace(/ ?_has_error ?/g, '');
						if (!elems[i].checked) {
							no_error = false;
							elems[i].className = elems[i].className + ' _has_error';
							err.push("Checking %s is required".replace("%s", elems[i].value));
						}
						}
						if (!no_error) {
						tooltip = create_tooltip(elem, err.join('<br/>'));
						}
					} else if (elem.tagName == 'SELECT') {
						var selected = true;
						if (elem.multiple) {
						selected = false;
						for (var i = 0; i < elem.options.length; i++) {
							if (elem.options[i].selected) {
							selected = true;
							break;
							}
						}
						} else {
						for (var i = 0; i < elem.options.length; i++) {
							if (elem.options[i].selected && !elem.options[i].value) {
							selected = false;
							}
						}
						}
						if (!selected) {
						elem.className = elem.className + ' _has_error';
						no_error = false;
						tooltip = create_tooltip(elem, "Please select an option.");
						}
					} else if (value === undefined || value === null || value === '') {
						elem.className = elem.className + ' _has_error';
						no_error = false;
						tooltip = create_tooltip(elem, "This field is required.");
					}
					}
					if (no_error && elem.name == 'email') {
					if (!value.match(/^[\+_a-z0-9-'&=]+(\.[\+_a-z0-9-']+)*@[a-z0-9-]+(\.[a-z0-9-]+)*(\.[a-z]{2,})$/i)) {
						elem.className = elem.className + ' _has_error';
						no_error = false;
						tooltip = create_tooltip(elem, "Enter a valid email address.");
					}
					}
					if (no_error && /date_field/.test(elem.className)) {
					if (!value.match(/^\d\d\d\d-\d\d-\d\d$/)) {
						elem.className = elem.className + ' _has_error';
						no_error = false;
						tooltip = create_tooltip(elem, "Enter a valid date.");
					}
					}
					tooltip ? resize_tooltip(tooltip) : false;
					return no_error;
				};
				var needs_validate = function(el) {
					return el.name == 'email' || el.getAttribute('required') !== null;
				};
				var validate_form = function(e) {
					var err = form_to_submit.querySelector('._form_error'), no_error = true;
					if (!submitted) {
					submitted = true;
					for (var i = 0, len = allInputs.length; i < len; i++) {
						var input = allInputs[i];
						if (needs_validate(input)) {
						if (input.type == 'text') {
							addEvent(input, 'blur', function() {
							this.value = this.value.trim();
							validate_field(this, true);
							});
							addEvent(input, 'input', function() {
							validate_field(this, true);
							});
						} else if (input.type == 'radio' || input.type == 'checkbox') {
							(function(el) {
							var radios = form_to_submit.elements[el.name];
							for (var i = 0; i < radios.length; i++) {
								addEvent(radios[i], 'click', function() {
								validate_field(el, true);
								});
							}
							})(input);
						} else if (input.tagName == 'SELECT') {
							addEvent(input, 'change', function() {
							validate_field(this, true);
							});
						} else if (input.type == 'textarea'){
							addEvent(input, 'input', function() {
							validate_field(this, true);
							});
						}
						}
					}
					}
					remove_tooltips();
					for (var i = 0, len = allInputs.length; i < len; i++) {
					var elem = allInputs[i];
					if (needs_validate(elem)) {
						if (elem.tagName.toLowerCase() !== "select") {
						elem.value = elem.value.trim();
						}
						validate_field(elem) ? true : no_error = false;
					}
					}
					if (!no_error && e) {
					e.preventDefault();
					}
					resize_tooltips();
					return no_error;
				};
				addEvent(window, 'resize', resize_tooltips);
				addEvent(window, 'scroll', resize_tooltips);
				window._old_serialize = null;
				if (typeof serialize !== 'undefined') window._old_serialize = window.serialize;
				_load_script("//d3rxaij56vjege.cloudfront.net/form-serialize/0.3/serialize.min.js", function() {
					window._form_serialize = window.serialize;
					if (window._old_serialize) window.serialize = window._old_serialize;
				});
				var form_submit = function(e) {
					e.preventDefault();
					if (validate_form()) {
					// use this trick to get the submit button & disable it using plain javascript
					document.querySelector('#_form_1_submit').disabled = true;
							var serialized = _form_serialize(document.getElementById('_form_1_'));
					var err = form_to_submit.querySelector('._form_error');
					err ? err.parentNode.removeChild(err) : false;
					_load_script('https://zenhabits.activehosted.com/proc.php?' + serialized + '&jsonp=true');
					}
					return false;
				};
				addEvent(form_to_submit, 'submit', form_submit);
				})();
			</script>
</div>
<div>
<h2>Join 2,000,000 breath-taking readers:</h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://twitter.com/zen_habits">Twitter</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/OfficialZenHabits/">Facebook</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.patreon.com/zenhabits">Patreon</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<nav>
<div><ul><li><a href="https://zenhabits.net/uncopyright/">Uncopyright</a></li>
</ul></div> </nav>
</div>
</footer>
<script>
/* <![CDATA[ */
var php_data = {"ac_settings":{"tracking_actid":1000583938,"site_tracking_default":1,"site_tracking":1},"user_email":""};
/* ]]> */
</script>
<script src="https://pz6ku3y3444u8xcj4fkvykk5-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/plugins/activecampaign-subscription-forms/site_tracking.js?ver=5.4.1"></script>
<script src="https://pz6ku3y3444u8xcj4fkvykk5-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-includes/js/wp-embed.min.js?ver=5.4.1"></script>

</body></html>

When You’re Drowning in Tasks, Overwhelm & Stress : zen habits

Dealing with too much stress

Steps to start feeling better

Teach yourself how to better enjoy your stressful days

Big Bertie's ideas are part of this journey:

Related collections

Similar ideas