3 Easy Tips To Conquer Overwhelm

Stress and overwhelm come part and parcel of a single mum’s life; however, how we manage it greatly determines its impact on our well-being. When left unchecked, stress can lead to physical and mental destruction. That means developing your mindfulness level can be a big step to managing any kind of stress that comes your way.

While consulting a therapist or counsellor can help relieve stress, practising self-help techniques can be particularly useful in curbing your tension and worries. It doesn’t have to be expensive or take a lot of time; you can even attend with your children around. All you need to do is set aside time (1-2 minutes is enough) in your busy schedule to attend to your emotional and mental well-being.

Here are simple yet valuable techniques that can help you live a stress-free life;

Minimise Overwhelm by Focusing on Breath

Practising breathing exercises can be a simple yet powerful way of reaching your inner self to help you live the moment. Most of the time, stress is caused by anxiety, worry, fear, regrets, and pleasure-seeking. If you find it hard to overcome these negative emotions, the best thing to do is take deep breaths while focusing on your breathing. Find a quiet place, relax, and start breathing slowly and deeply as you count your breaths. That encourages awareness of bodily tension, which beats any form of stress.

Practice Progressive Relaxation

When stressed or tense, it’s often healthier to attend to more prolonged relaxation while lying down. You can try progressive relaxation by tensing different body parts and then relaxing them. Try that with your entire body until you feel completely relaxed. Be sure to incorporate slow, deep breaths in each session. This technique can take 20 to 30 minutes and significantly help you relax; however, if you are strapped for time, this technique can be done as a quick scan of your body. For example, tensing and relaxing muscles as you do a 2min scan from your feet up to your head.

Creative Visualisation

Immersing yourself in imagination that takes you to a place where you can only hear the sound of trees, winds, or waves can help drain away your stress. You can picture yourself in a hammock by the beach, lying in a soft green field, or sitting by a comfortable veranda enjoying the evening breeze. That form of creative visualisation can induce a state of relaxation and help lower your stress levels significantly. Be sure to do the following while visualising:

-Be in a quiet place to focus consistently.

-Make your body and mind relaxed to seamlessly maneuver your thoughts.

-Take slow, deep breaths before you begin the process.

-Only focus on the good things that appeal to your soul.

Whether you’re having financial problems, worry about the future, or the kids are driving you crazy, your breath is a powerful tool to curb your stress. Reaching into your inner soul can help you relax no matter the tension you’re in. That will lead to emotional and physical well-being, which is a recipe for living a happy present.

More and more studies show the link between stress and many health problems; thus, stress management should become an essential skill for single mothers to master. These 3 simple stress management ways can help you bring about calm in yourself, impacting your reactions and response to your children when times become challenging.

As a single mum and an experienced counsellor, I have encountered most issues affecting our demographic. Don’t suffer alone. Reach out for more practical strategies, one-on-one individualised coaching and counselling with me here. 

Single Mama Elle

Elle is our compassionate single mum counsellor, dedicated to guiding fellow mamas through life's challenges. With a heartfelt commitment to transforming obstacles into opportunities, Elle provides empathetic support and practical guidance to her clients. As a single mother herself, she intimately understands the daily struggles and joys of single parenthood. Outside of counselling sessions, Elle finds rejuvenation in nature walks and yoga practice, nurturing her own well-being to better support others. Through her counselling practice, Elle aims to instil unwavering belief in single mums, empowering them to navigate life's journey with resilience and optimism.

See Full Bio