Sometimes it’s hard to realize we are overwhelmed until we have reached a breaking point. We’ve pushed ourselves over and over again, and smiled through way too much stress and now we are about to explode. Understanding your limits is critical to managing stress.
How can you tell you are reaching your limits when it comes to stress? Here are some examples (but definitely not an exhaustive list).
You are more short with others, more irritable, or you notice yourself being less content around people you care about.
You notice you are not as productive at work or school.
You find yourself having difficulty concentrating or completing tasks.
You don’t find joy in the things you like doing because it now feels like one more thing you have to do.
You realize you are more negative in your worldview or towards others.
You find yourself leaning into unhealthy habits (i.e. drinking more, over or under eating, smoking again).
Pay attention to your internal experience.
a. Is there tension in your body? Do you feel tension in your neck, back, or shoulders? Are you clenching your fists, toes, teeth or jaw?
b. Do you feel more sad than usual, or more irritable?
c. Are your thoughts racing or leaning to the negative more than they are positive?
Do you have difficulty breathing sometimes or feel like you can’t catch your breath?
It’s important to acknowledge you’ve reached a limit, be honest with yourself, and then do something differently. If you can’t take one more phone call today from a friend, turn off your phone for the rest of the evening. If you realize that you just can’t make dinner tonight for your guests who are visiting from out of town, make it a food delivery night. And most importantly, remind yourself that recognizing and setting limits is a positive thing. It’s better for you and for those around you to feel your best.