Do you feel overwhelmed? Here’s why – and how to fix it

Modern life is so demanding that it can lead us to feel chronically drained. How can we address the problem before everyday stress turns into burnout?

There is a reasonable chance you are reading this while doing one or more other thing – perhaps switching between work emails and social media, or using it as a way to put off today’s gargantuan to-do list. We are living through an era in which there are so many demands on us, whether it’s the trivial – endless notifications from your most annoying WhatsApp group – or more serious, such as caring responsibilities or financial or work stresses. If you are feeling overwhelmed, you are not the only one.

Linda Blair, a clinical psychologist and author of The Key to Calm, says: “I’m getting a lot of it in my clinic.” Some people feel paralysed, she says, and can’t decide what to do next. “A lot of my clients say they have trouble finishing any one thing, so that leaves them feeling more and more ineffective.” It’s demoralising, “and it’s not their fault”. It’s not even the fault of the tasks, she says, which don’t necessarily seem, to an outsider, that demanding. Blair thinks it’s an issue of sheer volume, adding: “I think our attention span has already been challenged by using screens so much.” The pandemic hastened this, but it didn’t invent overwhelm. “The problem is managing modern life.”

Topics

Your money habits trace back to childhood, financial psychotherapist says. Here's how to fix them

Your relationship with money offers clues about your childhood, one expert says — and understanding this could help overcome toxic spending habits.
CNBC - 16h
A passive-income side hustle you can do from your couch—the demand is 'definitely going to grow': How to get started

If you have a flair for graphic design, consider designing and selling templates on sites like Etsy and Creative Market.
CNBC - 1d
How I beat overwhelm: I said no to social events – and my friendships grew deeper

It seemed important to have a packed calendar. But when I slowed down I made space for spontaneity and fun. I used to equate a packed calendar with a full life. My days were booked up, well ahead ...
The Guardian - 12h
How much should you deposit in a CD right now? Here's what experts say

The ideal CD deposit amount depends on your finances and goals.
CBS News - 1d
Trump is right on tariffs, here's why

The Theory of Second Best suggests that introducing new distortions in an imperfect economy can offset existing distortions. Tariffs on Chinese tractors could be beneficial in preserving American ...
The Hill - 1d
Quiz of the Year, Part 1: How much do you remember about 2024?

Test your memory of 2024 in our four-part Christmas quiz - 52 questions for 52 weeks of the year.
BBC News - 1d
Do you know the real meaning of Boxing Day, and why it is called that? | Fiona Katauskas

The answers about why it is called Boxing Day may surprise you. See more of Fiona Katauskas’s cartoons here Continue reading...
The Guardian - 2d
How Well Do You Know Baseball? Here’s Your Chance to Test It.

To celebrate the sport, we present The Athletic’s 2024 Baseball Trivia Extravaganza.
The New York Times - 3d
Quiz: Do You Speak 2024?

A varied assortment of words entered (or re-entered) the lexicon this year. How well do you know them?
The New York Times - 3d