Have you had one of those days lately?
When life feels way too overwhelming and you just end up feeling so….blah.
I’ve been having a lot of those recently. As we get closer to the winter season, I am missing home a lot and I’m a bit bummed that I won’t get to visit my childhood friends as I have for the past 2 years at this time.
Add to that how I am still trying to make sense of my life after graduating and there are days honestly that I just don’t feel like getting out of bed.
Maybe post-graduation blues are also hitting you pretty hard. Or you’ve just been dealing with a lot in your personal life.
If you’ve been feeling this way too, I’m sending you a big hug from here!
I’ve realized that during times like these, it’s the little, simplest things in life that help get you by.
So I have put together a list of 10 simple hacks to help you find comfort when you feel completely overwhelmed by life. I hope these help you like they’ve helped me.
1. Take a pause, slow down and breathe
During those stressful periods when you feel really overwhelmed by your life, it’s easy to feel like you’re not in control and things are just coming at you from all directions.
When that happens, take a moment to slow down and just breathe.
Sit in silence for a few minutes.
Remind yourself that you’re going to be okay. Say it 100 times if you need to.
Do what you need to get back into your body and out of your head like some light stretching or some simple movements.
I know it sounds cliche but if you’re reading this, it means you overcame every bad day you ever experienced even though at the time you didn’t think you would (I know I didn’t).
So it may not feel like it but believe that this moment too shall pass.
2. Make yourself a nice breakfast
When I’m feeling a bit sad or overwhelmed, I always look forward to making myself a big yummy breakfast in the morning.
Somehow, that helps me start my day off on the right foot and filling up on delicious and nutritious food early on gives me a bit more energy to face the day. If you want to read more about some yummy breakfast recipes to start your day with, check out my post here.
3. Bake something!
In my opinion, there’s nothing a good treat can’t solve! At least I like to think so!
Of course, enjoy your desserts in moderation but besides eating them, I find there’s something really soothing about baking a cake or cookies during a stressful period of time. It gets you busy since you’re actively engaged in the baking process and it really helps to take your mind off things. Also at the end, you have a yummy treat to enjoy!
Here are some ideas for dessert recipes if you need some inspiration.
4. Have a mini concert with your favourite songs
This is one of my fav ways to take my mind off things.
I may not feel like it initially but once I start (kind of have to force myself sometimes), it’s hard to stop!
This is also a great way to reconnect with your inner child, let loose and have fun for a while. So put on your fav songs and have a mini concert or jam session in your room. Early One Direction is always a go-to for me!
5. Make yourself a nice cup of tea (preferably before bed)
When you’re feeling down, make yourself a nice cup of tea. Some of my favorites are chamomile, lavender or lemongrass given their stress-relieving properties.
This may not solve all your issues but it’ll certainly bring a bit of warmth and coziness to your life even for a few minutes!
6. Read a good book
I believe that reading a good book is one of the best ways to escape life’s issues!
If you’re a book lover like me and you just need a break from life sometimes, pick up your favourite book and lose yourself in it for a while. If you’re into romance, here are my recommendations for my fav romance books I’ve read these past few years!
7. Spend some time in the sun
Some time in the sun will do you some good during those times when you don’t really feel up for anything.
Honestly, nature is the best medicine and spending even a few minutes outside daily will help you recharge your vitamin D levels which will help boost your mood. So make it a habit to start your day off with some sunlight every morning.
You could even do an activity that you enjoy outside like exercising or reading a good book.
8. Go for a walk
A nice walk can do wonders for your anxious brain. It’s a simple form of exercise that releases happy hormones in your brain which helps you feel better overall.
Also when you feel overwhelmed, getting up and walking makes you feel like you’re moving and leaving the situation or at the very least doing something about it. This is 10x better than sitting there stewing and ruminating about it.
9. Give yourself a hug
A few years ago my therapist recommended this to me.
I was going through a period when I was struggling a bit through college. My close friends and I weren’t on great terms at the time and I felt quite lonely in the face of it all.
I told her there were times when I was alone at night in my room and I felt like I could really use a hug and she suggested “well why don’t you give yourself one?”
Not gonna lie, I thought this was a bit cringe at first.
But if I’m honest with myself, I think the cringiness mostly came from the fact that I felt if I had to hug myself, it reminded me just how lonely I felt.
But I still tried it and I’m glad I did.
Even though it doesn’t solve all your problems, it does bring you some comfort. It’s a way to remind yourself that no matter what happens or whoever comes in and out of your life YOU will always be there for you.
10. Wrap yourself in a blanket
Simple but it works!
If you feel a little sad or overwhelmed, wrap yourself in a cozy blanket like a little burrito! It will bring you a few minutes of much needed comfort!
What else helps you feel okay when life feels too complicated? Let me know down below.
