All too often we get engulfed in stress because we have bitten off more than we can chew-- or at least it feels that way.
Why do we let ourselves get to this point? How could we be so irresponsible that we have let our tasks pile up to the point where there is no end in sight?
It's because we are humans.
Okay, so I tend to continually find myself in a never-ending state of stress; college does that to you. It’s a real game changer when you go from having one test every couple of weeks in high school to having three tests within the same day in college.
The kind of stress that this produces is literally so overwhelming that it can be crippling. When you have so much going on in your work or school, adding whatever problems you have going on in your daily life, family, taxes or whatever it may be, you can very easily become a different person and it can become easy to lose sight of who you are.
Though it may feel like you are on the cusp of being a gigantic failure, I promise that you aren’t. Sometimes we just get so wrapped up in the current project we are undertaking. Of course you want to be successful in everything you undertake, but if one thing doesn’t turn out as planned it doesn’t mean you have failed at life – it just means you have to try a new way of approaching that situation or do something altogether totally different.
When the pressure feels heavy and you can’t escape responsibility you need to take a step back and do something for yourself. When it feels like the responsibility is inescapable is when you need a break the most. Do it for the sake of your mentality.
This kind of pressure will make you feel like you can’t do anything until you get whatever task it is done, but if you do not succumb to your needs and wants then your productivity and drive will be lacking and half-hearted.
You have to give yourself a break.
Do whatever it is that you like to do for 30 minutes or an hour. Lie in fetal position and binge on Netflix, go for a run and clear your head or knit a sweater. Do what you love and give yourself a break because you deserve it and it will stimulate productivity when you go back to your tasks that need to get done.
Giving yourself little breaks allows you to maximize productivity and progress. You come back to your work feeling somewhat refreshed so that you work harder than you would have when you were pushing yourself to finish with no mental breaks.
It really is important not forget you when you feel overwhelmed. Yes, whatever you have to get done is important, but you and your mental health are more important.
In the future, remember to take care of yourself and to give yourself a break. You can only do your best. We are all human and sometimes we just need a break. Don’t be afraid to live and don’t be afraid to ask for help.
We are all out for the same thing. We all aim to live happy, successful lives. You can’t be happy though if you are always stressed out about what is coming next. Make sure to strive for a balance so that you can find both and still be true to yourself.
