Everyone hits this

Feeling overwhelmed

When everything feels like too much at once.

You're not alone

Feeling overwhelmed usually means there's more going on than you can keep track of at once. That's a normal reaction to too much, and it doesn't mean you can't cope. It eases as soon as you can see it all written down and start on one thing.

What can help

• Write it all down. Everything that's on your mind, in a list. It's always smaller on the page than it is in your head.
• Do the next thing, not everything. Pick one job and start.
• Sort out what's actually yours to deal with today. The rest can wait.
• Move for five minutes. A walk, the stairs, anything. It takes the edge off.
• Ask one person for help with one thing. Whānau, a mate, a workmate, doesn't matter. You don't have to carry the lot.