Get out of overwhelm with this simple breathwork

5-min could be the difference between you loosing it and keeping yourself together

Ahhh...mom overwhelm. When you feel paralyzed by the flow of demands; the tasks that "need" to get done. You no longer know which way is up or down, right or left and all you want to do is SCREAM!

Mom overwhelm happens to, dare I say it...ALL of us... the calm and cool, the spiritual, the light hearted, the kid-at-heart, or whatever you align with.

In overwhelm you aren't the best, version of yourself. Not even close. It's like you are possesed by some tongue twisting, over-exagerating monster.

Why does this happen? Why do you turn into a monster when overwhelmed?

Jon Kabat-Zinn describes overwhelm as the all-too-common feeling "that our lives are somehow unfolding faster than the human nervous system and psyche are able to manage well."

The other thing that happens during overwhelm is you experience emotions at higher levels (such as high stress) and you're ability to identify those emotions decreases. Basically, you are no longer in touch with yourself and this is a BAD time to make any decisions.

No wonder why you feel out-of-control and you become someone you don't recognize. Your nervous system and psyche are shorting out.

You tip into overwhelm when you become overly stressed. As a mom you know there is a lot of daily stress. From the unconsolable cries of your baby to trying to stay one step ahead of your toddler. When you are in a constant state of stress it doesn't take much to go from stress to overwhelm.

Having a daily practice to de-stress yourself is ideal but in those times when you can't and you do go into overwhelm. 

HERE'S HOW TO GET OUT OF OVERWHELM...

Take a step back from the situation and do NOTHING except breath. Allow your nervous system to calm down.

This simple breathwork helps calm your nervous system faster by giving you a non-emotional focal point and it activates your calming system. 

If you are just learning the breath, place on hand on your chest and one on your stomach so you can feel what part of your body you are breathing into.

Breath into your belly fully through your nose to a count of 4.

Exhale fully through your nose to a count of 4.

Continue this for a minimum of 5 min.  

During this breath focus your attention on the sound of the breath, feel of the breath going in and out of your nose, or the rise and fall of your hand. This will help redirect your thoughts.